Sonoma County Grand Jury
• 2021-2022
What Happens When the Grand Jury Makes Recommendations? a Follow-Up Report on Water in Sonoma Valley
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
Nine of the Recommendations to Sonoma Water, Permit Sonoma, the City of Sonoma, and the Valley of the Moon Water District that were expected to be implemented in the future have either been completed or have been initiated and are in the process of implementation.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Two of the Recommendations relating to the Sonoma Development Center cannot be implemented in the absence of an SDC Specific Plan.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Recommendation that the City of Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon Water District and Sonoma Developmental Center implement plans to share existing water resources to reduce risks in emergencies was not implemented.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
By September 30, 2022, Permit Sonoma, Sonoma Water, the Valley of the Moon Water District, and the City of Sonoma Water Department meet to ensure that a SDC Specific Plan includes an outline for the sharing of water resources of the site during emergencies. (F3)
R3
The Valley of the Moon CSO The City and VOM agree with this The City installed a main Water District and the City of Recommendation. Plans are extension with a special & Sonoma interconnect their underway with the City for the connection on the end VOM distribution systems, and physical interconnection between the adjacent to one of our establish an agreement for City and the District’s distribution (VOM’s) fire hydrants. The sharing water during system. Work is expected to begin on proximity of these to point emergencies by December 31, this project in the spring of 2021. (destination of final 2020. connection) allows a tow- behind water pump, powered by a diesel engine, 2021-2022 UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS RES. ORIGINAL RESPONSES RESPONSES to be set up quickly and will allow water to be transferred in either direction to the City or the District. This is the permanent interconnection, not a temporary work around. The Grand Jury has confirmed that this has been completed and training of personnel from both water agencies has taken place.
F4
Some Recommendations have not been implemented due to the delay of required reports or studies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Sonoma Water, Valley of the DGS The State (DGS) is open to utilizing This Recommendation was Moon Water District, the City of excess onsite tank storage capacity on not implemented. The City Sonoma, Permit Sonoma, and the an interim basis for other parties to of Sonoma and VOM have California Department of store their water for access during installed a main extension General Services form an emergencies and interruptions, subject to enable them to share agreement by October 31, 2020, to the approval of the SWRCB (State water during emergencies. that potable water storage Water Resources Control Board). See R3 above. facilities at Sonoma CSO The City is monitoring the activities Developmental Center shall of the SDC Specific Plan for when it remain active and available for can participate in plans for shared shared access during water access during emergencies. emergencies. VOM VOM agrees with this Recommendation but conditions at SDC prevent the District’s ability to achieve the desired outcome in the short term. PS Permit Sonoma indicates this The 2021-2022 Grand Jury Recommendation requires further has confirmed that this analysis. PS does not have authority Study is in progress. The or control over SDC’s potable water first phase will be a storage facilities. However, in its role Technical Memo on leading the SDC Specific Plan drought analysis and will process, PS is committed to facilitate be released in May, 2022. the best outcomes for the community Phase 2 will review and will evaluate emergency water additional topics. No date use agreements as part of the planning has been set for phase 2. process. SW Sonoma Water does not have jurisdiction or control over the SDC’s water storage facilities. SW will continue to work on coordinated water resources planning. SW is leading the development of a Regional Water Supply Resiliency Study, anticipated to take 18-20 months to complete.
F5
The future sources of water for the Sonoma Developmental Center property are undetermined at this time.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
By September 30, 2022, Permit Sonoma, Sonoma Water, the Valley of the Moon Water District, and the City of Sonoma Water Department meet to ensure that in any SDC Specific Plan, the water resources of the site are utilized for any future development with limited reliance on water from the Sonoma Aqueduct. (F5)
R5
The Valley of the Moon VOM The District agrees with this The agreement to Water District accelerate its Recommendation and will continue its rehabilitate their wells will program for expanding well accelerated program for the take place over 3 years and 2021-2022 UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS RES. ORIGINAL RESPONSES RESPONSES capacity and water storage by installation of new wells and tanks. will double the production December 31, 2020. This is a high priority in both its capability. They have Water Master Plan and Strategic Plan. agreements with two owners of private wells to provide water as needed and to drill an additional well.
Additional Recommendations 3
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R6The Valley of the Moon VOM VOM plans to implement this The 2021-2022 Grand Jury Water District establish specific Recommendation with the insertion of has confirmed that this emergency water-use restrictions the Water Shortage Contingency Plan Recommendation has been and communicate them to its to its customers on its outgoing water implemented. customers by September 30, bills beginning September 23, 2020. 2020. In addition, the District will post on its website specific actions taken during a water shortage emergency.
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R7By September 30, 2020, the VOM The District agrees with this The 2021-2022 Grand Jury Valley of the Moon Water Recommendation and has created a has confirmed that this District inform customers new webpage for its customers about Recommendation has been annually, or when conditions risks and water deficiencies in the implemented. change, regarding risks and emergency water supply. The District deficiencies in the emergency began notifying its customers about water supply and any actions the new webpage on outgoing bills taken to mitigate them. starting September 23, 2020.
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R8Permit Sonoma establish, by PS This Recommendation has been The 2021-2022 Grand Jury September 30, 2020, implemented. PS is committed to has confirmed that this communication with water robust and meaningful engagement Recommendation has been system managers for the City of with these entities and other implemented. Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon potentially affected entities as part of Water District, and Sonoma the SDC Specific Plan. Developmental Center to inform the SDC Specific Plan process. REPORT TITLE: SONOMA VALLEY REGIONAL WATER RESOURCES RES = Respondent CSO = City of Sonoma VOM = Valley of the Moon Water District SW = Sonoma Water PS = Permit Sonoma 2021-2022 UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS RES. ORIGINAL RESPONSES RESPONSES
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 5Prior to making arrangements for the sharing of existing water resources, the closure of the Sonoma Developmental Center had a negative impact on the water supply in Sonoma Valley. There has been no effort to arrange for the sharing of water resources and there is no longer any access to potable water in the storage facilities at the SDC. The production of the reports required for the Specific Plan has been delayed for one year, as has the final Specific Plan. When the Specific Plan is finalized, the water authorities in Sonoma Valley must meet with the California Department of General Services to determine the new water requirements and the best way to source them without negatively impacting the existing needs of the region.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Sonoma County
County
Sonoma County Water Agency
Special District
Valley of the Moon Water District
Special District