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) provides a comparison of storage levels during 2020, 2021 with current 2022 water storage for our two main reservoirs, Lake Sonoma, and Lake Mendocino. You can stay informed about Current Water Supply Conditions, Drought Updates, Actions, and Information by going to: SonomaWater.org/current-water-supply-levels.

On August 20, 2022, the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership hosted several Saving Water Summer Pop-Up events at home improvement stores throughout Sonoma and Marin counties. Participating utilities included the cities of Healdsburg, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma, and the Valley of the Moon, North Marin and Marin Municipal water districts.

The participating water utilities provided free water saving materials, including buckets to catch and reuse warm-up water, and information on ways to save water during this historic drought.

Drip irrigation waters only where you need it. Super Saver Sam made the switch to drip and a smart irrigation controller and is saving 600 gallons per month. Check for available rebates and find more tips to save water around the yard at savingwaterpartnership.org.

A leak in a mainline valve of the Sonoma Valley aqueduct was discovered on August 17, 2022. The pipeline serves the City of Sonoma and the Valley of the Moon Water District (VOMWD). Sonoma Water crews found that a chunk of concrete from a retaining structure adjacent to the bridge abutment had dropped onto the underground pipeline.

The leak is releasing between five and 10 gallons of water per minute. The water is seeping into the banks of the creek and not directly flowing into Sonoma Creek. Given the location of the leak and the complexity of removing the concrete resting on the pipe, Sonoma Water determined that all materials and parts should be on-hand prior to commencing repair of the pipeline. Due to supply chain issues, some parts were delayed for several weeks.

“While we regret the loss of even one drop of water during this drought, the safety of our workers, the integrity of the pipeline and ensuring our community’s water supply are paramount. We don’t want to start a repair job until we know that all equipment and materials are on hand when we shut down the aqueduct,” said Sonoma Water General Manager Grant Davis.

Repairs began on Monday, September 12, on a 16” pipeline near the Verano Avenue bridge crossing of Sonoma Creek. No service interruptions are expected to Sonoma or VOMWD water customers. City of Sonoma and VOMWD, have informed us they have adequate water storage and local water supplies to meet the demands of their customers while repairs are underway. Traffic controls will be in place and delays are possible in the area. The repairs are anticipated to take up to seven days. Argonaut Construction will assist with the investigation and repair.

On August 18 the Bureau of Reclamation announced that the North Bay Water Reuse Program (NBWRP) will receive $6.9M for the Phase 2 Program as part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Help Communities Reduce Vulnerability to Drought. 

These funds to the NBWRP: Phase 2 Program for the WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Act Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects will go toward three separate projects in Petaluma.

Sonoma Water is pleased to offer free public tours of the Russian River water supply system and fish viewing gallery. We will visit facilities that divert, pump, and treat water delivered to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. Tour registration is required.