Current Projects

Sea Ranch Sanitation Zone Wastewater Treatment, Storage and Disposal Modifications Project (SRSZ Wastewater Modifications Project)

The SRSZ Wastewater Modifications Project will provide reliable wastewater treatment, storage, and disposal methods for the SRSZ and reduce the possibility of discharge violations at the Central Treatment Plant during large storm events or periods of high flow. In addition, the Sea Ranch Lodge and Inn (Lodge) has proposed to connect to the Central Treatment Plant and the Agency will evaluate the impacts of constructing a pipeline to connect the Lodge. The Agency has proposed three project alternatives with several pipeline alignments. Each of these alternatives would modify operations at the Central Treatment Plant. Depending on the alternative, the modifications could include building new facilities (e.g., installing a new pump or constructing a storage pond) and/or removing existing facilities (e.g., filling in a storage pond or removing irrigation equipment) at the Central Treatment Plant.

Alternative 1: Convey Secondary-Treated Water to North Plant. Under Alternative 1, the Central Treatment Plant would continue to treat raw wastewater to a secondary level. The Central Treatment Plant storage pond and aeration pond would remain in operation. Irrigation of a 4-acre site at the Central Treatment Plant would remain as a standby disposal method for secondary treated recycled water from the Central Treatment Plant. Approximately four miles of 4-inch diameter pipeline would be constructed to convey secondary treated recycled water from the Central Treatment Plant to the North Treatment Plant. The pipeline would be located within one of two proposed alignments (see below).
Alternative 2: Convey Raw Wastewater to North Plant. Under Alternative 2, the Central Treatment Plant would be demolished and thus no treatment of raw wastewater would occur at the plant. Instead, raw wastewater would be conveyed from the Central Treatment Plant to the North Treatment Plant for treatment to a secondary level. The Central Treatment Plant aeration pond and the storage pond would be drained and backfilled with earthen material or left in place. Disposal of recycled water via irrigation at the Central Treatment Plant would cease. Irrigation of the 4-acre site adjacent to the Central Treatment Plant would be discontinued and pipes, sprinkler heads, and other equipment associated with the irrigation system would be removed.
Alternative 3: Under Alternative 3, the Central Treatment Plant would continue to treat raw wastewater to a secondary level and the storage and disposal capacity of the plant would increase. An additional storage pond would be constructed in a vacant field adjacent to and north of the existing 1.74-million gallon (MG) storage pond at the plant. The new storage pond would be similar in size and shape to the existing 1.74-MG storage pond. It would be located in an area that was designated for future pond expansion when the Central Treatment Plant was originally planned and constructed. The current irrigation disposal area would be expanded from four acres to twelve acres.
Lodge Connection: A pipeline would be constructed to convey raw wastewater from the Sea Ranch Lodge on-site collection facility to the Central Treatment Plant. This option would require construction of a three and one-half mile, 4-inch diameter pipeline between the Sea Ranch Lodge and Central Treatment Plant, which is included as part of the proposed Project. This option would also require the installation of a 100-gpm pump at the Sea Ranch Lodge. However, installation of the pump is not included as part of this Project but is being evaluated as part of an upgrade of wastewater facilities at the Sea Ranch Lodge.
Pipeline Alignments: Pipelines associated with the Project would primarily consist of approximately 4.0 to 7.5 miles of 4-inch diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or ductile iron pipes to convey secondary treated recycled water or raw wastewater. The actual length of the pipelines is dependent on the combination of options (i.e., with or without the optional connection to the Sea Ranch Lodge) and pipeline alignments selected for implementation.

The Agency held a public scoping meeting in 2002 to garner public comments and answer questions regarding the project. The Agency is currently completing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft EIR is scheduled to be complete in Fall 2005 and will have a 45 day public review period.

North Sonoma County Agricultural Reuse Project (NSCARP)

The purpose of the NSCARP is to provide a reliable alternative source of water for agricultural water users in the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley areas (North Sonoma County area) to reduce reliance on natural regional water supplies and address regional water supply and regulatory issues. The NSCARP would include the design and construction of storage reservoirs, conveyance and distribution pipelines, and pump stations in the North Sonoma County area. The water for NSCARP would be tertiary treated municipal wastewater generated and conveyed primarily through the City of Santa Rosa's Geysers Pipeline to the project areas. The Agency held three public workshops in 2004 to discuss the project planning process and provide opportunities for public participation regarding the project. The Agency is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. View more information on the North Sonoma County Agricultural Reuse Project (NSCARP)

Water Supply, Transmission, and Reliability Project (Water Project)

The Water Project consists of three separate components (Water Conservation, Russian River, and Transmission and Reliability Components) that together provide a save, economical, and reliable water supply to meet the defined current and future water supply needs in the Agency's service area.

Water Conservation Component: This component would expand the water conservation programs currently being implemented by the water contractors and the Agency to achieve additional water conservation savings through Best Management Practices (BMPs) adopted by the California Urban Water Conservation Council or other water conservation measures and methods. The amount of water savings appropriate and feasible will be identified as the Water Project project description is further developed. The Water Conservation Component may also include the design, construction, operation and maintenance of facilities for the water education program.
Russian River Component: This component would increase the amounts of water released from storage in Lake Sonoma and diverted from the Russian River to reliably meet defined current and future needs of Agency customers. Releases from Lake Sonoma would need to be increased up to approximately 26,000 Acre-feet per year (AFY), increasing the total authorized amount of diversion from the current limit of 75,000 AFY on transmission system diversion to a new limit of approximately 101,000 AFY on all diversions from the lower Russian River under the Agency's water right permits. The amounts of water proposed to be released from storage in Lake Sonoma and to be diverted may change as the Water Project project description is further developed.
Transmission and Reliability Component: This component would increase the transmission system capacity and facilities to meet anticipated peak month deliveries to customers and increase the reliability of the existing and future transmission system. Transmission system capacity would need to be increased by approximately 57 million gallons per day (mgd), thereby increasing the total transmission system capacity from 92 mgd to approximately 149 mgd. Transmission and Reliablity Component facilities may include Ranney-type collector wells, conventional wells, surface water diversion structures, infiltration ponds, water treatment facilities, pipelines, pumps, storage tanks, and other related appurtenances.

Photovoltaic Cell Installation Project

The purpose of the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (SVCSD), Administration Building at 404 Aviation, and Airport/Larkfield/Wikiup Sanitation Zone (SZ) Photovoltaic Projects (Projects) is to offset energy consumption and costs associated with the general operation of the respective facilities. Solar panels and appurtenant structures are proposed to be installed on the roof and on car-port like structures in the parking lot of the Administration Building at 404 Aviation Boulevard. Solar Panels and appurtenant structures are proposed to be installed on the south-facing outer berms of the effluent storage ponds and in the equipment staging area of the Airport SZ. The SVCSD Project will consist of the acquisition of property adjacent to either the northern or southern boundary of the District facilities and construction and installation of approximately 4 acres of photovoltaic panels and appurtenant structures on the property proposed for acquisition.

Matanzas Creek Reservoir Sediment Removal Project

The public comment period for the Notice of Availability for the Matanzas Creek Reservoir Sediment Removal Project closed at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2005.

Section 7 Consultation

The Sonoma County Water Agency (Agency) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are undertaking a Section 7 Consultation under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to evaluate effects of operations and maintenance activities.

Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)

In November 2002, California voters approved Proposition 50, the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002. The Act encourages regional cooperation in water resources planning by providing grant funding for projects identified in a regional plan, referred to as an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP). In order to qualify for funding, projects should be "designed to improve regional water supply reliability, water recycling, water conservation, water quality improvement, stormwater capture and management, flood management, recreation and access, wetlands enhancement and creation, and environmental and habitat protection and improvement." The Sonoma County Water Agency has been a leader in bringing together agencies and other stakeholders throughout the North Coast and Bay Area to cooperatively develop two regional plans; one for the North Coast region and another for the San Francisco Bay Area region. For more information, visit the CA State Water Resources Control Board's IRWMP website.