Sonoma Water E-News | June 2023 |
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Sanitation Rate Relief Program – Applications due July 10 |
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Sonoma Water Board of Directors has approved a Sanitation Rate Relief Program, allocating up to $1 million for low-income property owners in the eight sanitation districts and zones managed by Sonoma Water. The new program will reduce qualified residential property owners' sanitation rates by 50% of their total annual sewer service charge.
"For many low-income households and non-profit organizations, every penny counts. The Sanitation Rate Relief Program can help ease the financial strain by providing a significant discount on sewer service charges. We are committed to supporting our community and ensuring that everyone has access to the essential services," said Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and of the Sonoma Water Board of Directors.
To be eligible for the Sanitation Rate Relief Program, property owners in the eight districts or zones must be billed for sewer services on their property tax bill, own their home, and live in it as their primary residence. Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations can also apply for the program, provided that they rent 85% or more of the property to tenants who have household earnings of 60% or less of the area median family income.
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Booster Station Investments in Sonoma
Booster stations are essential components in a water distribution system and house a collection of pumps to provide adequate flow and maintain consistent pressure. Sonoma Water recently completed upgrades to Sonoma Booster Station Two, adding two new pumps and an emergency generator, which will improve the reliability of water supply for customers along the Sonoma and Oakmont aqueducts.
Watch this video to learn more:
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Russian River Inflatable Dam Being Inflated
On June 5th, Sonoma Water began the multi-day process of inflating its rubber dam located in the Russian River near Forestville. The rubber dam is a critical component of the Russian River water supply system that provides naturally filtered drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties.
The rubber dam is typically inflated in spring or early summer when demand for potable water increases. The dam can take 4-14 days to fully inflate (depending on river flows). When fully inflated, the rubber dam creates a small pool of water from which Sonoma Water draws water for use in four off-stream infiltration ponds. The infiltration ponds help recharge groundwater, which is naturally filtered through sand and gravel and delivered to Sonoma Water’s customers.
The rubber dam is located downstream of the Wohler Bridge on the Russian River. When the rubber dam is raised, a permanent fish ladder provides fish passage and allows Sonoma Water to count the migration of adult salmon and steelhead with its underwater video system located in the fish ladder.
Boaters must portage around the rubber dam. Public notices will be posted around the rubber dam warning the public not to recreate on or near the dam. California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations prohibit fishing within 250 feet of the upstream and downstream sides of the rubber dam.
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State approves Sonoma Water’s Request for Temporary Changes in Russian River Flows
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) recently approved a request by Sonoma Water to modify Russian River instream flows.
The Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) filed by Sonoma Water in April, and approved by the State Board on May 19, amends Sonoma Water’s water rights permits and State Board Decision 1610 in order to comply with the 2008 Russian River Biological Opinion and to enhance salmonid habitat in Dry Creek and the mainstem Russian River.
The approved modifications include the following changes:
· From May 1 through October 15, 2023, the instream flow requirements for the upper Russian River will be reduced from 185 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 125 cfs.
· From May 1 through October 15, 2023, the instream flow requirements for the lower Russian River will be reduced from 125 cfs to 70 cfs.
“The Russian River watershed is recovering from three years of consecutive drought and these changes are a key tool in managing the water supply for more than 600,000 people and the environment in Sonoma and Marin counties.” said Sonoma Water Director Chris Coursey.
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Is your irrigation system ready for summer? Now is a great time to spruce up your irrigation by running each station to check for leaks. Be sure to clean any clogged filters and adjust emitters and sprinkler heads to ensure that water is going to the root zone of your plants and not down your sidewalk!
Have questions about your irrigation system? Garden Sense Consultants can point you in the right direction. They provide free in-person consultations through the Sonoma County Master Gardener Program. To request a consultation, call 707-565-3026 or visit their website. |
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High School Video Contest Winners
Sonoma Water and Energy Educators and the Russian River Watershed Association presented awards to the three local high school students who created the winning public service announcement videos in this year's High School Video Contest. This year’s students were asked to create their video addressing the theme: "How has drought impacted you or your community? How can we be more resilient to drought?"
Watch the winning videos here:
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A Call to Action Grants Showcase Student Projects
On May 11th, twelve A Call to Action grant recipients were celebrated at the 2nd Annual Student Showcase event held at Sonoma Clean Power’s Advanced Energy Center. Awards from $465 to $1,000 went to ten teachers and two students who sought to solve problems at their schools related to climate change or water. This year, projects fell into three categories, school gardens, trash management, and rainwater catchment systems. This inspiring group of individuals shared the challenges and successes encountered in their efforts to make a lasting and environmentally sustainable change at their schools. We were happy to recognize and celebrate them for helping to create a more climate-resilient community in Sonoma County.
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Sonoma Water on the Radio: Nuestra Tierra Radio KBBF 89.1 FM |
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Last month Marcus Trotta, Principal Hydrogeologist, Sonoma Water discussed the status of groundwater in Sonoma County after a record rainfall preceded by three consecutive years of drought. You can listen to this interview in both English and Spanish by clicking the link below.
Our next radio interview:
Monday, June 19, 2023, 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Wastewater Treatment and the Sanitation Rate Relief Program
with Juan-Carlos Solis, Program Specialist, Sonoma Water
Learn about Sonoma Water’s new Sanitation Rate Relief Program and the wastewater treatment process.
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Sonoma Water - LandPaths Public Tours in Spanish |
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In May, families enjoyed a public tour of Sonoma Water’s water distribution system offered in Spanish with free transportation from Roseland. This program was offered in partnership with LandPaths.
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Vintage Wheels
Pictured here, (left to right) Heavy Equipment Technicians Michael Baptist and Omar Perez, Water Agency Coordinator Nick Rowan, and Automotive Mechanic Dylan Fiori pose next to Sonoma Water’s oldest vintage wheels, one of the first trucks used for creek management many years ago.
All throughout the year, our team of mechanics maintain a fleet of over 200 light duty vehicles (including many electric vehicles) and heavy machinery.
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Rainfall and Water Storage Update
Current water supply conditions as of 6/12/2023:
Lake Mendocino FIRO* Target Water Storage Curve: 111,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 99,289 acre-feet (89.45% of FIRO Storage Curve)
Lake Sonoma Target Storage Curve: 264,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 258,366 acre-feet (97.87% of Water Supply Pool)
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/22 – 6/14/23)
Ukiah:
Average (1894-2022 water years): 36.49"
Current Water Year: 39.14” which is 107% of average
Santa Rosa:
Average (1950-2022 water years): 35.65"
Current Water Year: 41.69” which is 117% of average
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Upcoming Events
The Board normally holds its regular meetings on Tuesdays, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will be facilitated virtually through Zoom and at Board of Supervisors Chambers (BSC) 575 Administration Drive 102A.
•June 12 BSC/Virtual Special Meeting
•June 13 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearing
•June 14 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearing
•June 15 BSC/Virtual Special Meeting
•June 16 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearings
•June 20 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearings
June 21 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearings
•June 22 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearings
•June 23 BSC/Virtual Budget Hearings
Board Agendas:
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Did you Know?
Sonoma Water maintains over 88 miles of underground pipeline extending from the Russian River to the cities and water districts in our service area. The pipes range in size from 16 inches to 54 inches in diameter.
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Employment Opportunities
Sonoma Water has job openings for people with a variety of skills and experience.
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Sonoma Water | 404 Aviation Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 | SonomaWater.org |
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