The drought is still here. Water supply levels at Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma remain at historic lows. Water is a resource that our community shares, and it is critical that we all continue to protect and conserve this valuable resource. Sonoma Water and its partners in the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership (SMSWP) urge our community to keep up the great work and effort – water saved now, is water we can use later. For water saving tips and programs you can take advantage of to conserve water and save money, visit SavingWaterPartnership.org.

The Sonoma Water weekly water supply graphic (below) compares storage levels in 2020, 2021, and current 2022 for our two main reservoirs, Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino. Go to SonomaWater.org/current-water-supply-levels to stay up to date on Current Water Supply Conditions, Drought Updates, Actions, and Information.

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership (Partnership) has received two 2022 WaterSense Awards for assisting people in saving water, a 2022 Sustained Excellence Award for its ongoing success with its Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program, and a 2022 Promotional Partner of the Year Award for its promotional activities in 2021 during a second year of drought.

“Throughout 2021, our award-winning partners helped people protect this precious resource by promoting WaterSense labeled products and water-efficient behaviors,” said Veronica Blette, Chief, WaterSense Branch. “Saving water is particularly critical in areas impacted by drought, but is also a path to helping consumers stretch dollars by reducing their water and energy bills.”

The Partnership was honored at the 2022 WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas for their commitment to promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2021, along with 33 other awardees - utilities, manufacturers, builders, retailers, and other organizations that partner with WaterSense to promote water-efficient products, homes, and programs.

“It is an honor to receive the 2022 Promotional Partner of the Year award. This recognition of our regional effort responding to historic drought conditions highlights the Partnership's commitment to helping our communities save water", said Jennifer Burke, Director of Santa Rosa Water and Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee with oversight of the Partnership.

 “We are proud that our QWEL program continues to provide value locally and throughout the western region. Our ability to establish a hybrid, bilingual training and online testing platform expanded the program’s accessibility”, said Grant Davis, General Manager of Sonoma Water.

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership represents 13 water utilities in Sonoma and Marin counties who have joined together to provide a regional approach to water use efficiency. The utilities are the Cities of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Sonoma, Cotati, Healdsburg, Cloverdale; North Marin and Valley of the Moon Water Districts, Marin Water, Town of Windsor, California American Water - Larkfield and Sonoma Water.

It’s that time of year, and more important than ever to give your irrigation system its seasonal rest. This fall, preserve and prolong our local water supply by turning off your irrigation timer if you have an automatic system. Check for available rebates and find more tips to save water around the yard at savingwaterpartnership.org.

On September 27, Sonoma Water hosted a tour for visiting scientists from the Brazilian National Water Agency , US Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) and California Water Science Centers.

The group began with a morning tour of Saralee's vineyard, hosted by Jackson Family Wines, where regenerative farming practices are being piloted to reduce water use and fertilizer applications. The group then went to Sonoma Water's Fish Viewing Ladder and Collector 6, where Don Seymour, Deputy Chief Engineer shared his knowledge of our unique water supply system. The day concluded with a drive-up Dry Creek Valley and a panorama stop at Lake Sonoma with Marcus Trotta, Principal Hydrogeologist, where they discussed resource challenges as well as innovative tools and solutions.

“I just want to express my deepest thanks and gratitude for the excellent educational and well-organized visit. From the Vineyard to the collection and pumping station to Lake Sonoma and the readily available online monitoring page. We got refreshed with eco-geohydrologic science and engineering that is well done and managed! Our team has appreciated the level of effort made for the successful visit,” said visiting scientist from the Brazilian National Water Agency.

Please join Sonoma Water and the County of Sonoma on Zoom on Thursday, October 13 for a virtual town hall to update the public on the drought emergency.

Experts will provide the most recent drought information and answer your questions. Participants will receive a new report on the likelihood of a fourth year of drought as well as information on programs to assist private well owners.

Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available on Zoom. Questions may also be submitted in advance to publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org

Learn more at SoCoEmergency.org/emergency/drought

Do you want to know more about your water supply during the drought?

How do endangered salmon migrate in the Russian River?

Sonoma Water is pleased to provide FREE public tours of the Russian River water supply system and fish viewing gallery. We will tour facilities that divert, pump, and treat water for over 600,000 residents in Sonoma and Marin counties. Registration for the tour is required. Space is limited.

Teachers and students can apply for the Call to Action small grants of up to $1,000 for stewardship projects designed to help solve a water or climate change problem at their school. The program's first deadline is October 19th, 2022.

Sonoma Water awarded 12 teacher grants last year ranging from $250 to $1,000 for a variety of projects. Water catchment systems were installed at North Bay Met Academy in Windsor, and a worm composting bin was purchased for a kindergarten class at Biella Elementary School in Santa Rosa. All 12 projects were featured at the Student Showcase event in May 2022 at Sonoma Clean Power's Advanced Energy Center.

We hope to fund a new set of projects in the coming school year and see positive and hopeful solutions spread throughout our community.