Sonoma Water E-News | September 2023 |
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Reservoir Water Levels Holding Strong
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This year’s plentiful rains, water conservation efforts of our community, along with our use of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), have resulted in the highest-ever combined water levels for Lake Sonoma (pictured here) and Lake Mendocino for late summer, which as of Sept. 5 totaled 320,810 acre-feet of water. Compare that to our lowest-ever combined storage during the region’s recent drought, which measured only 134,598 acre-feet in storage in August 2021, and the average level for August of 264,500 acre-feet.
With climate change, we can go from extreme drought to extreme flood in a short period of time. FIRO helps us adapt to these unpredictable conditions by using modern forecasting technologies to guide operations decisions, and strategically holding back more water in our reservoirs, while also preventing flooding downstream during rain events.
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Emergency Preparedness Month
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, and it’s a good time to ensure your household or business is ready in case of earthquake, wildfire, power outage and flood. It is also a reminder to check in with others who may need a hand, especially those who may need extra assistance like senior citizen neighbors, friends and family. Older adults face greater risks during disaster, especially those who live alone, are low-income, have a disability or live in rural areas. Incorporate elderly loved ones into your emergency plan to ensure they are supported. Don’t forget to include water in your emergency kit and theirs, keeping at least a gallon per person, plus extra for your pets.
Here are some helpful links to local emergency preparation resources:
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Sonoma Valley Booster Station Upgrades Provide Readiness for Emergencies
Throughout the year, Sonoma Water prepares for emergencies. Whether we are training employees in emergency procedures, maintaining water transmission systems and wastewater facilities, or designing and engineering flood control measures, we are always working to mitigate risk and safeguard our water supply to withstand hazards. We invest in projects like the Sonoma Valley Booster Station upgrades (see video, below) which helps ensure the reliability of water resources for the Sonoma and Oakmont communities even in the event of an earthquake, power shut down or wildfire. These upgrades include two new pumps, generators for back-up power supply and electrical updates to keep the facility operating even in the event of a disaster.
Learn more about Sonoma Water’s ongoing efforts to prepare for emergencies in our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is a public document created in collaboration with the community. The plan provides a framework for risk-based decision making to reduce damage to lives, property and the economy from future disasters.
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Six Tips for Pollution Prevention Week
Pollution Prevention Week, Sept. 18-22, is a good reminder that there are simple ways that everyone can help keep our watershed clean and water systems going strong!
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Clean out your medicine chest and take your expired or unused medications to a Safe Medicine Disposal collection site. Never flush or trash old medicines. Locate your nearest site or request a free mail-back envelope.
- In the kitchen, never pour grease, oil or fat down the drain or garbage disposal. Instead, wipe with paper towel or dispose of in the compost or trash. Fat build up not only can ruin your pipes but can cause major blockages in sewer lines!
- Toilets are not trashcans! The only things that belong down the toilet are pee, poop and toilet paper. Never flush any wipes, they create major clogs that are costly to clean up.
- Look for Safer Choice labeled household products. Get a sparkling-clean result without using toxic chemicals that can harm you, your pets or our water.
- Reduce plastics when making consumer choices. Plastic waste can break down into microplastics, which can enter our environment – and us – every year.
- Pet waste is not part of a healthy watershed. Be sure to pick it up when walking your dog and then throw it in the trash. Also, do not flush cat poop or litter down the toilet. Bacteria from pet waste can cause harm.
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Flood Zone 2A Advisory Committee Meeting Sept. 28
The Petaluma River Flood Zone 2A Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. Meeting will be held in person (no hybrid option) at the City of Petaluma Public Works & Utilities office, 202 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA. Agenda will be posted in advance at sonomawater.org/zone-advisory-committees.
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Fall is arriving. New season, new gardening tasks
Shorter days mean shorter run times for your irrigation system. Plants need less water in the fall as growth winds down and plants prepare for winter. Reduce your run times by 20% now and up to 40% in late fall, or check out this Irrigation Scheduling Tool to get a custom schedule.
Fall is also time to prune perennials and cool season grasses, and to clear out dead, woody materials and dry leaves for fire season. For more info, check out the Maintenance Calendar in the Water Smart Gardens Maintenance Manual – your guide to a garden that thrives.
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Announcing the 2024 High School Video Contest
Sonoma Water, in partnership with the Russian River Watershed Association, invites students in grades 9-12 from Sonoma, Mendocino and Northern Marin County to participate in our annual High School Video Contest. This year’s theme is Put a LID on it!
Students have until April 4, 2024, to develop their short video in response to the prompt: What is Low Impact Development (LID) and how can it protect the Russian River watershed?
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Rainfall and Water Storage Update
Current water supply conditions as of 9/11/2023:
Lake Mendocino FIRO* Target Water Storage Curve: 111,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 81,781 acre-feet (73.68% of FIRO Storage Curve)
Lake Sonoma Target Storage Curve: 264,000 acre-feet
Current Storage: 236,361 acre-feet (89.53% of Water Supply Pool)
Current rainfall conditions (10/1/22 – 9/12/23)
Ukiah:
Average (1894-2022 water years): 36.97"
Current Water Year: 39.15” which is 106% of average
Santa Rosa:
Average (1950-2022 water years): 36.00"
Current Water Year: 41.69” which is 116% 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.
•Sept 19 BSC/Virtual
•Sept 26 BSC/Virtual Special Closed Session
•Oct 3 BSC/Virtual
•Oct 10 6 p.m. BSC/Truth Act Forum
•Oct 17 BSC/Virtual
•Oct 20 Virtual/Special Closed Session
•Oct 24 BSC/Virtual
Board Agendas:
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Quick Fact
What is pollution prevention?
Pollution prevention, also known as source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment or disposal.
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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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