To: The Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 547-1911, David Royall 521-1892
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Receive Report and Make Findings to Continue Emergency Work to Stabilize Dangerous Conditions Resulting from a Pipeline Break within the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District’s Reclamation System.
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
Receive Report and Make Findings to Continue Emergency Work to Stabilize Dangerous Conditions Resulting from a Pipeline Break within the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District’s Reclamation System (First District) (4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests that the Board of Directors for the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), receive a report on emergency actions taken to stabilize hazardous conditions resulting from a pipeline break within the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District’s Reclamation System and continue to suspend competitive bidding requirements.
Discussion:
On December 31, 2025, staff at the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District’s Treatment Plant identified a leak in the District’s reclamation pipeline. Staff located and isolated the broken section and stopped discharges from the pipeline. Staff estimate that the broken reclamation pipe had released about 700,000 gallons of treated reclaimed water into Schell Slough in Sonoma Valley.
As described in the Board’s January 6, 2026, emergency declaration, the pipeline break occurred in an area subject to tidal influence and adjacent to a levee, creating challenging site conditions and increasing the risk of erosion and instability. Due to severe weather and tidal flooding, the repair activities requiring excavation and heavy equipment access have been temporarily limited.
Sonoma Water staff are continuing site visits and assessments. Soil conditions remain highly saturated, which has delayed equipment mobilization. In the interim, staff are advancing permitting and utility coordination efforts and actively evaluating the most effective site access options to ensure stability. Discussions are ongoing regarding levee protection, safety measures, and the most appropriate repair methods to implement once conditions allow. Sonoma Water remains committed to maintaining progress and ensuring all elements are thoroughly planned for a successful project.
Prior Board Actions:
1/06/2026: Resolution Making Findings of an Emergency Need to Perform Work to Stabilize hazardous conditions resulting from a pipeline break in the reclamation distribution system
1/27/2026: Report and Make Findings to Continue Emergency Work to Stabilize Dangerous Conditions Resulting from a Pipeline Break within the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District’s Reclamation System.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A