About Us

The Sonoma County Water Agency

Your Regional Leader in Water Resources Management

Water is a precious resource. That is why it has been the mission of the Sonoma County Water Agency (Agency) since 1949 to effectively manage the resources in our care for the benefit of people and the environment. With more than two hundred dedicated professionals who work for the Agency in a variety of fields ranging from engineering to biology, we strive to look forward, beyond today’s issues, to anticipate ways to advance our mission. We’d like to take this opportunity to share with you more about the services we provide and how you can help conserve our precious water resources.

More Than 50 Years of Service:

The Sonoma County Water Agency was created as a special district in 1949 by the California Legislature to provide flood protection and water supply services to portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. Legislation enacted in 1995 added the treatment and disposal of wastewater to the Agency's responsibilities. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors acts as the Agency's Board of Directors. The Agency is a separate legal entity created by State law, having specific limited purposes and powers, and separate sources of funding. The Agency is thus different from County departments, which are created by the Board of Supervisors for administrative purposes, but are not separate legal entities.

Services Provided:

We are proud to provide an array of services including, but not limited to, naturally filtered drinking water, flood protection services, distribution of recycled water, recreational opportunities and wastewater treatment.

Water Supply

We manage and maintain a water transmission system that provides naturally filtered Russian River water to nine cities and special districts that in turn delivers drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. You receive your drinking water and water bill from your local city or water district. We provide drinking water to the following cities and special districts:

Sanitation

In 1995 we assumed responsibility from the County of Sonoma for managing the county sanitation zones and districts, which provide wastewater collection and treatment, and recycled water distribution and disposal services for approximately 22,000 residences and businesses. The zones include Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup, Geyserville, Penngrove and Sea Ranch. The sanitation districts include the Occidental, Russian River, Sonoma Valley, and South Park County Sanitation Districts.

Flood Protection Services

Providing flood protection for our community is important. Over the years we have partnered with federal agencies to help build and manage a variety of flood protection projects, including Warm Springs Dam, Spring Lake, Coyote Valley Dam, Matanzas Creek Reservoir, Piner Creek Reservoir, Brush Creek Middle Fork Reservoir and Spring Creek Reservoir. We also manage a proactive stream maintenance program that maintains more than 80 miles of creeks throughout our service area.

Water Conservation

Less is more. Using less water means more water in Lake Mendocino, in Lake Sonoma and the Russian River. We partner with local water suppliers to provide water conservation programs that help save water by using it more effectively and efficiently.

Environmental Resources

Protecting and preserving the environment is paramount to providing habitat for endangered fish and wildlife. Since 1974 we have provided environmental services related to our compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Our environmental staff works to improve the native fish resources of the Russian River and its tributaries by conducting and coordinating fishery enhancement projects.

Water Education

Our Water Education Program is designed to foster an appreciation of the value of water as an important natural resource and to promote water conservation and stewardship of our local watersheds. Dedicated staff provides inquiry based instruction to students with hands–on presentations in the classroom and outdoor field study programs by the Russian River. Water Education staff also serve as a resource for teachers by providing education materials and workshops.

Learn more!

We appreciate your time learning more about the services we provide for our community. Please take a moment and explore our web site to learn more about the Sonoma County Water Agency and how you can help conserve our water resources. Thank you!