Sonoma Water E-News | February 2020
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Message from General Manager, Grant Davis
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As we enter the new decade and the new year of 2020, Sonoma Water is looking forward to a year where we invest in infrastructure, emergency preparedness and technology. We are currently constructing on two major sanitation projects; replacing a section of the Sonoma Valley main sewer trunk line, and the Larkfield Estates Sewer Project. Each project will improve sanitation service with new materials and construction.
During the Kincade Fire last fall and a series of power outages Sonoma Water continued to produce clean, reliable drinking water to more than 600,000 customers in the North Bay and provided essential treatment services to our customers throughout these emergencies. Our staff did incredible work to maintain essential services under challenging circumstances. We intend to continue to improve our emergency preparedness and we encourage all residents to review their own emergency plans and improve their preparedness.
Sonoma Water also remains committed to our resiliency in the face of climate change. Just a few weeks ago, we cut the ribbon on the first permanent X-band radar for the Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) System in the North Bay. The AQPI System consists of improved weather radar data that will assist forecast-based operations to maximize reservoir capture for water supply and prepare utility managers and emergency personnel for extreme weather events
We take great pride in our work at Sonoma Water and we and we will continue our mission of protecting our watershed, our water resources, and our environment.
I wish you all the best in 2020 and look forward to sharing more with you during the coming year.
Grant Davis
General Manager, Sonoma Water
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Ribbon Cutting Marks First Permanent X-band Radar for Bay Area
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Sonoma Water officials joined local, regional, state, and federal agencies recently to unveil the first permanent X-Band radar in the San Francisco Bay Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) System. The radar, located on top of the Penitencia Water Treatment Plant in San Jose, is the cornerstone in a new network of high-resolution, low-elevation radars that will improve weather forecasting of atmospheric rivers and extreme weather events across the region.
“Today marks a great milestone in a collaboration that will provide vital information during storms,” said Valley Water CEO Norma Camacho. “We and our partners across the region are committed to helping keep our communities safe from floods.”
The SF Bay Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) System was funded in 2016 by a $20 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and awarded to Sonoma Water and partners from throughout the Bay Area.
As of January 2020, two X-Band radars are operational, including one in Sonoma County and one in Santa Clara County. Two more X-Band radars are slated for installation during 2020.
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Groundbreaking Ceremony for Larkfield Estates Sewer Project
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Earlier this month, Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore, Sonoma Water General Manager Grant Davis, Assistant General Manager of Operations Mike Thompson and Larkfield Estates and resident Gena Jacobs participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the beginning of construction of the Larkfield Estates Sewer Project. The project will extend sewer service to the Larkfield Estates neighborhood, which was destroyed during the 2017 Tubbs fire. Many homes in the Larkfield area were previously connected to septic systems.
In June of 2018, the Sonoma Water Board of Directors approved the plan to extend sewer service to the neighborhood, and also approved development of a financing plan to lessen the financial burden of connecting to sewer service. Larkfield Estates is within the Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone, which is managed and operated by Sonoma Water. Construction of the $5-million project gets under way in January 2020 and is scheduled for completion in October 2020.
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Sonoma Water invites you and your family to visit our Water Education Center to explore the Russian River Watershed. The Water Education Center is family-friendly with hands-on exhibits, including a new “Where Our Drinking Water Comes From” display. The following tours are available in English and Spanish.
Los siguientes tours estarán disponibles en español y en inglés.
Tour location:
Sonoma Water Education Center
9703 Wohler Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Tour Themes, Dates and Times:
“Track Wildlife Along the Russian River”
Saturday, March 21, 2020
“Riparian Plant Investigation”
Saturday, April 18, 2020
“Where Our Drinking Water Comes From”
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Each tour has a capacity of 25 guests, and spots are first-come, first-served. When making your reservation please indicate the age of children under the age of 18.
Each tour will start at the education center where participants will explore exhibits and learn about our water supply system. Each day may include time outdoors and walking, please wear appropriate footwear. ***Heavy Rain will cancel the event***
or (707) 524-6419.
Tours en español
Peticiones para Tours Públicos guiados en español serán consideradas cuando sean recibidas. Si está interesado en un tour que sea guiado en español, por favor, contacte Juan-Carlos Solis por
juan-carlos.solis@scwa.ca.gov
o al (707) 547-1922.
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Rainfall and Water Storage Update
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Current water supply conditions (1/21/20)
Lake Mendocino
Major Deviation Storage Curve: 80,050 acre-feet
Current Storage: 72,368 acre-feet (90.40% of Major Deviation)
Lake Sonoma
Target Storage Curve: 245,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 221,125 acre-feet (90.25% of Water Supply Pool)
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/19 – 1/20/19)
Ukiah:
Average (1894-2019 water years): 18.87”
Current Water Year: 9.69” which is 51.35% of average
Santa Rosa:
Average (1950-2018 water years): 15.85"
Current Water Year: 14.63” which is 92.28% of average
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Upcoming Events
Our offices will be closed:
Wednesday, February 12
for Lincoln’s birthday
Monday, February 17
for President’s Day
The Board normally holds its regular meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Upcoming Board meetings:
- February 4, 2020, 8:30 am
- February 25, 2020, 8:30 am
Board Agendas:
Meeting Location:
Board of Supervisors Chambers
575 Administration Drive, Room 102A
Santa Rosa, California
Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board Meetings
- March 23, 2020, 4:00 pm - Sonoma Valley
- February 13, 2020, 1:00 pm - Santa Rosa Plain
- February 27, 2020, 4:00 pm - Petaluma Valley
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Fact of the Month
Sonoma County Real-time Rainfall, River-Stream, and Reservoir Data
Sonoma Water’s Real-time Rainfall, River-Stream and Reservoir Data website provides real-time and historical rainfall, river and stream levels, and reservoir levels and flow data for Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma.
This website was developed following the North Bay wildfires of October 2017. In the wake of the devastating fires, CalFIRE and the National Weather Service (NWS) recommended installing rainfall and stream gauges within and around the burn areas to inform early flood warning systems because of the greater risk of flash floods and debris flows resulting from the fires.
Data from this website is linked to the National Weather Service, which will use it in issuing weather watches, alerts, and warnings.
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Employment Opportunities
We invite you to explore the career opportunities available with Sonoma Water.
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Public Comment Opportunities
Please click the button below to see opportunities to provide your input and comments.
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Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | sonomawater.org
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