Sonoma County Sustainable Groundwater Agencies
|
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Q1| 2026 |
|
|
|
|
Happy National Groundwater Awareness Week! |
This is Groundwater Awareness Week, which is a reminder that your three local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) are working in collaboration with you to responsibly manage and protect our shared groundwater resources. In the Sonoma Valley, Petaluma Valley, and Santa Rosa Plain basins, groundwater supports 43,000 residents, 21,800 acres of agriculture, local businesses, disadvantaged communities, and the natural environment.
|
|
|
Did you know that the GSAs provide practical tools—like the Well Aware Toolkit, the Sonoma County Groundwater Data Dashboard, the Level Up! program and the voluntary Flow Smart metering program—to help monitor water supply, understand water use, improve efficiency, and prepare for future droughts? They’re also advancing recycled water projects, aquifer storage and recharge pilot programs, and smart land-use planning to safeguard supplies for the long term, while securing state grant funding and maintaining strong local control.
Take some time this month to be more “groundwater aware.” Participate in one of our community programs and be part of protecting and preserving our precious water underground for generations to come.
|
|
|
|
|
New Resource! Groundwater Well User Manual |
The Groundwater Well User Manual has arrived! This resource, created in partnership with Permit Sonoma, is here to support you through any stage of being a well owner. Whether you are looking to drill a well, are a new well user, or have used a well for decades, this manual can help you navigate well maintenance and groundwater stewardship.
The manual is designed to:
|
|
|
- Introduce new well owners and users to the basics of well construction, maintenance, and destruction;
- Alert well owners and users to the potential for contamination and the need for water quality testing;
- Provide information to well owners and users on ways to optimize well longevity and productivity;
- Introduce well owners and users to groundwater sustainability programs available to them; and
- Provide tips and resources to advance groundwater sustainability.
|
The manual has sections on well permitting requirements, well construction, well maintenance, water quality sampling and testing, water conservation, and how to participate in groundwater sustainability– all tailored specifically for well owners in Sonoma County.
Access the Groundwater Well User Manual here today!
|
|
|
Agricultural Groundwater User Survey Highlights Opportunities for Collaboration and Sustainability |
|
|
|
|
Between August and December 2025, the GSAs conducted a joint survey of agricultural groundwater users to better understand priorities, concerns, and opportunities related to groundwater sustainability. The 21-question survey received 82 responses. Responses were well distributed across the basins: 46% from Santa Rosa Plain, 20.5% from Petaluma Valley, 17% from Sonoma Valley, and 22% marked ‘not applicable’.
Read the survey results on our website.
|
|
|
Spring Into Action and Be Well Aware |
As warmer days approach, there's no better time to think about how you use water on your property — and what you can do to protect the groundwater that you depend on.
The Well Aware program is here to help people with wells to do exactly that. Whether you want to understand your water use, check your system for leaks, or learn smarter ways to conserve, visit wellawaretoolkit.org to explore resources, tips, and tools tailored to your land and your well. This resource is perfect for everyone-from farms to residential wells to businesses; there is something practical for everyone in this resource.
|
|
|
|
|
Opportunities to get involved right now
Plan your Spring Gardening Projects
The Well Aware Toolkit offers a collection of informational resources with year-round planting guides, food gardening with less water and smart plant choices for your landscape.
|
National Fix-a-Leak Week is coming the third week of March. A single leaky faucet or fixture can waste thousands of gallons a year — and leaks in a well system can go undetected for even longer. Improve your home’s energy and water efficiency by checking out a Do it Yourself (DIY) Toolkit at your local Sonoma County Library branch. DIY Energy and Water Savings Toolkits include tools and information to perform home upgrade projects including weather stripping windows and doors, monitoring electrical usage, finding water leaks, and making homes more efficient with LED lightbulbs. Toolkits are available at all 12 Sonoma County Library regional branches and Sonoma County Library cardholders can check out the kits for up to 21 days.You can get more practical tips on lead detention in the Well Aware Toolkit, too.
Small actions add up. By staying informed and taking a few simple steps this spring, you can help preserve our shared groundwater supply for years to come. Start by visiting the wellawaretoolkit.org.
|
|
|
|
Level Up! Spring measurement season begins soon |
Have you ever wondered how the water beneath your property changes throughout the year? The Level Up! program helps landowners understand how their groundwater responds to seasonal changes.
Through this free, long-term voluntary program, trained staff or participants themselves take water level measurements each spring and fall. Over time, these measurements reveal trends related to rainfall patterns, water use, and pumping — giving you a clearer picture of your well's long-term health.
Your data will be anonymously shared on the Sonoma County Groundwater Data Dashboard, which tracks current and historical water levels across the region. This information helps guide sustainable groundwater management for everyone. Once a participant has two data points, a hydrograph of water level changes is displayed on the dashboard.
Most participants measure their own wells using our free tool loan program. However, a select group of wells in key locations are now monitored directly by Sonoma Resource Conservation District staff each spring and fall.
Interested in joining? Learn more: sonomacountygroundwater.org/voluntary-monitoring
|
|
|
|
|
Flow Smart Installations Completed |
Funded by a grant from the California Department of Water Resources, the GSAs developed the Flow Smart Program to help us learn more about our wide variety of groundwater use. Over time, the groundwater use data gathered from wells throughout our groundwater basins will improve the GSA’s understanding of groundwater extraction trends and refine our understanding of groundwater use by the people that live and work in the region.
|
|
|
The Flow Smart Program is a free, voluntary groundwater flow-metering program for well owners located in the GSA basins. Participants received professional installation of a flow-metering device at no cost to them. 49 flow-meters have now been installed: 24 in Santa Rosa Plain, 18 in Sonoma Valley, and 7 in Petaluma Valley. The device allows people to accurately and conveniently track their groundwater usage, identify leaks, and helps them to manage their groundwater resources effectively
|
|
|
|
|
Putting Stormwater to Work:
Recharge Pilots Underway |
When it rains, where does the water go? In many cases, it runs off the land before it has a chance to soak into the ground and replenish our aquifers. The Sonoma County GSAs are working on several pilot projects to test whether improving land management practices can help change that — by slowing the flow of stormwater and directing it back into the ground.
|
|
|
The first pilot site is in the Santa Rosa Plain near Mark West Creek. Following the December rains, staff began applying water to both vineyard and fallow fields to recharge the groundwater below, a practice termed “On-Farm Recharge”. The project is comparing results on fields with cover crops versus those without, and is collecting data on groundwater levels, soil moisture, and underground conditions to understand what’s working and why.
|
Four additional pilot projects are currently in the planning and outreach stage and will focus on increasing stormwater recharge in upland areas. Recharging water in upland areas can help reduce stormwater flood risks in lower, more urban areas and support groundwater sustainability throughout Sonoma County.
Read more...
|
|
Pictured: (above) A vineyard field infiltrating on-farm Recharge water applied with a drip irrigation system. (below) Measuring the water application rate from drip irrigation used for on-farm recharge. Photos by Bachand & Associates.
|
|
|
Recycled Water Expansion Project in Sonoma Valley Update |
|
|
|
|
Planning is moving forward on a major recycled water expansion project in Sonoma Valley. This improvement will help reduce groundwater pumping in critically depleted areas while increasing long-term water supply reliability for local agricultural and irrigation users.
The project includes installation of approximately 2.5 miles of up to 12-inch diameter pipeline, along with associated valves, meters, and storage improvements. Three potential pipeline alignments are currently being evaluated. Once complete, the expansion is expected to offset and estimated 200-300
|
|
|
acre-feet per year (AFY) of groundwater pumping. Construction costs are projected to range from $5 million to $10 million.
Strengthening Sustainable Water Supplies
The majority of new recycled water supplies will be available during the winter months, making additional storage and conservation strategies essential to maximize year-round use. Updates to existing user allocations will also help increase availability and make the most efficient use of supplies.
By expanding recycled water use, the project will:
|
- Reduce groundwater demand in critically depleted areas
- Lower well pumping electrical costs
- Improve water quality for some users compared to existing groundwater sources
- Increase water supply resiliency through reliable allocation of available recycled water
|
Securing Partnerships and Funding
Securing user commitments is a key next step. Outreach is underway to potential recycled water users, with a focus on those who have higher water demand and on-site storage capacity. Template agreements and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document are being developed to support these discussions. An informational meeting is planned for April, with support from the Sonoma Resource Conservation District (RCD).
Read more...
|
|
|
Advancing Sustainability in Petaluma: Rainier Avenue Recycled Water Pipeline Nears Completion |
The City of Petaluma continues to make significant progress on its long-term effort to expand the community’s recycled water system—an essential strategy for protecting groundwater resources and improving drought resilience. As part of the city’s commitment to maintaining sustainable groundwater levels, the Petaluma Urban Recycled Water Expansion includes constructing at least 6,500 feet of new pipeline to bring recycled water to additional customers, landscaping and city facilities. Using recycled water for irrigation and other approved uses helps reduce demand for potable supplies, conserving thousands of gallons of drinking water each year.
A major portion of this work took place in late 2025 along Rainier Avenue, timed in coordination with other utilities, paving and traffic calming construction work. This pipeline will help offset groundwater pumping by delivering recycled water to nearby landscaping areas, particularly during dry years when groundwater supplies are stressed. The Rainier Avenue work is now complete.
|
- Trench excavation and pipe installation began in late August and reached substantial completion in October.
- Crews installed the recycled water main along the Rainier corridor, including trenching, pipe placement, tees, and appurtenances needed for future system buildout.
- Pipeline segments were fully installed, backfilled, and repaved, maintaining safe public access throughout construction.
- Service connections and tie-ins progressed between Maria Drive and Rushmore Avenue, including tapping the new main, navigating existing utilities, and upgrading associated service components.
|
A Collaboration Supporting Groundwater Sustainability
This project is funded in part by a Groundwater Sustainability Plan Implementation Grant from the California Department of Water Resources. The partnership between the City of Petaluma and the Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency is advancing local water resilience by expanding recycled water use and reducing demand on groundwater supplies.
|
|
|
Marcus Trotta, Gary Michaelson, Sandi Potter and Sarah Raker after the most recent Petaluma Valley GSA Advisory Committee Meeting
|
|
Many local community members serve as volunteers on our Advisory Committees, contributing their time and energy to the complex issues related to managing our groundwater basins. The Petaluma Valley GSA would like to thank Gary Michaelson for his many years of service; his last committee meeting was in February 2026. His in-depth professional knowledge of well construction and maintenance was deeply valuable to the GSA over many years.
The County of Sonoma seat on the Petaluma Valley GSA Advisory Committee Is currently vacant. Application materials for this position will be posted on our Advisory Committee webpage.
|
|
|
MEETING LOCATION
Petaluma Community Center
320 N. McDowell BLVD
Petaluma, CA
|
|
Advisory Committee Meetings
2026
Wed., May 27, 4:00-6:00 PM
Board of Directors Meetings
2026
Thurs., Mar. 26, 4:00-6:00 PM
Thurs., June 25, 4:00-6:00 PM
|
|
|
MEETING LOCATION
City of Santa Rosa Utilities
Field Office
35 Stony Point Road
Santa Rosa, CA
|
|
Advisory Committee Meetings
2026
Mon., May 11, 2026, 3:00-5:30 PM
Board of Directors Meetings
2026
Thurs., June 11, 1:00 - 3:30 PM
|
|
|
MEETING LOCATION
Valley of the Moon Water District
19039 Bay Street
Sonoma, CA
|
|
Advisory Committee Meetings
2026
Tues., May 19, 3:00-5:30 PM
Board of Directors Meetings
2026
Mon., Mar. 23, 4:00-6:00 PM
Mon., Jun. 22, 4:00-6:00 PM
|
|
|
Message sent by Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies at 2235 Mercury Way, Suite 105, Santa Rosa, CA, United States.
Don't want to receive emails from us? Manage your email preferences here.
|
|
|
|
 (1).png)
.png)
.png)
.png "four people, two men and two womenl, stand in front of a flag and pose for a photo indoors")
