WMP Projects
Water Master Plan Projects Under Consideration
Drill rig equipment
Of the 13 CIP projects recommended in the 2000 Water Master Plan (WMP), five have been completed. In general, projects identified in the 2000 WMP that have not been completed, have been carried forward in the WMP Update.
The 2009 Draft WMP Update identifies additional facilities that will be needed to allow the system to deliver water to reliably meet demands. Specifically, the 2009 Draft WMP Update concludes that the following types of facilities will be needed to improve supply, storage and distribution of water:
- Off-river wells (replacement and new)
- New storage tanks
- Pipelines/water mains (new and/or improved)
Some locations for new facilities have been preliminarily identified and a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) will soon be underway to assess the various projects included in the 2009 Draft WMP Update. A PEIR fulfills the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and provides a useful environmental planning tool that will support subsequent, site-specific analyses and identify appropriate measures to minimize adverse environmental effects.
The Sustainable Groundwater Program
The Town is considering pumping water from its existing Russian River Well Field during winter months when water levels are high and environmental impacts are low and storing that water in the ground.
The 2009 WMP Update also recommends active use of available groundwater sources (both quantity and storage) through a managed groundwater recharge, storage and extraction program. In addition to pumping groundwater from its off river wells for irrigation and for emergency uses (such as during shortages), the Town is considering pumping water from its existing Russian River Well Field during winter months when water levels are high and environmental impacts are low and storing that water in the ground. The water would be transported using existing infrastructure and stored in the groundwater basin via new and existing wells.
The high-quality water would remain in the ground until it is needed during high demand periods, which generally occur in the summer months when the river is a less reliable supply option due to low flows and regulatory limitations.
Costs & Timing
The total estimated cost for the recommended system upgrades is approximately $34 million. The 2009 WMP update recommends a phased approach that would begin with some improvements to the supply and distribution systems and continue with other project elements throughout the year 2035.