To: Board of Directors, Sonoma County Water Agency
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Water Agency
Staff Name and Phone Number: Alex Bodulow 707-521-1823
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Agreement for Russian River Collector Multi-Year Operational Analysis Report
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager to execute an agreement with Brown and Caldwell, in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board, for Russian River collector multi-year operational analysis and reporting services through June 30, 2026, in the not-to-exceed amount of $200,516.
end
Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) is required to submit reports at regular intervals to the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW), formerly California Department of Health Services, Office of Drinking Water, indicating that water filtered at its water supply facilities meets water standards for classification as a groundwater system. Regular studies, analysis, and reporting on the water quality produced at these facilities are required to review whether Sonoma Water’s collectors are classified as groundwater under the direct influence of surface water.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Sonoma Water operates six radial collector wells (Collectors) and seven conventional wells, referred to as the Russian River Well Field, that extract water from the groundwater aquifer beneath the streambed adjacent to the Russian River in the vicinity of the Mirabel and Wohler areas in Western Sonoma County. These facilities can provide an estimated peak production capacity of 112 million gallons per day and are the main source of water for approximately 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties.
Water pumped by Sonoma Water’s Collectors is naturally filtered as it travels through the sands and gravels of the aquifer which removes impurities and meets State and federal drinking water standards. This process, known as riverbank filtration, has historically produced high water quality for Sonoma Water and its water contractors since the late 1950s. Based on a study conducted by Sonoma Water in 1992/1993, the DDW classified the Collectors’ source water as groundwater and therefore exempted Sonoma Water from Surface Water Treatment Regulations (SWTR). The SWTR specifies significant additional requirements that must be met by a public water system if a water source is classified as either surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water.
This study, referred to as the Russian River Collector Multi-Year Operational Analysis, will compare data produced in the 1992/1993 study with more recent operational data to identify and evaluate significant changes in groundwater/surface water interactions, if any.
Sonoma Water last submitted the Russian River Collector Multi-Year Operational Analysis in 2013. An update was due in 2017, however Sonoma Water requested and received an extension to allow more time. The updated analysis is anticipated to be submitted to DDW in winter of 2025, restoring the standard update frequency to every five years.
SELECTION PROCESS
Brown and Caldwell (Consultant) was selected from a list of qualified consultants developed from a competitive selection process. Attached is a memo that explains the competitive selection process.
Consultant was selected for the subject work because Consultant is a recognized expert on natural filtration as it relates to water supply systems. Consultant specializes in surface water/groundwater interactions.
Sonoma Water may seek to amend or enter into subsequent agreement(s) with Board approval if required, relying upon this competitive selection process, after the preliminary or initial work is completed.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the agreement, Consultant will conduct a comparative study between data collected in a demonstration project conducted in 1993 and data collected over the past 12 years (2010 to 2022); evaluate significant changes in groundwater/surface water interactions; and prepare a summary report of findings.
The cost of services will not exceed $200,516; the term end date is June 30, 2026.
The agreement includes authorization for the General Manager to make changes to lengthen time schedules or make minor modifications to the scope of work, which do not increase the amount paid under the agreement, in a form approved by County Counsel.
Under the agreement, Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager shall have the ability to extend the term of the agreement for two additional years by providing written notice to Consultant thirty days in advance of the expiration date. The extension shall be formalized in an amended agreement or amendment signed by Sonoma Water and Consultant.
County of Sonoma Strategic Plan:
N/A
Sonoma Water Strategic Plan Alignment
Goal: Planning and Infrastructure
Strategy: Conduct planning that integrates and balances operational, maintenance, and infrastructure priorities.
Action: Continue to engage in planning efforts and partnerships to protect and enhance our water supply.
This agreement is part of an effort to ensure the main source of water that Sonoma Water relies on (i.e., the groundwater under the Russian River) is still interacting with the surface water of the river in the same way. Performing this operational analysis of the Collectors is a vital part of ensuring reliable water supply to Sonoma Water’s customers.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
06/12/2012: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Smith-Comeskey Ground Water Science, LLC for Completion of Radial Collector Well Operational Analysis Cost $97,050; term end December 31, 2013.
06/12/2012: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Tetra Tech Company, Inc. for Completion of Radial Collector Well Microscopic Particulate Analysis, and Assistance with Operational Analysis. Cost $43,100; term end December 31, 2013.
02/07/2012: Approved agreement between Sonoma Water and Tetra Tech Company, Inc. for Radial Collector Well Water Quality Studies. Cost $140,150; term end December 31, 2013. Agreement was terminated on 3/8/2012 and no funds were used.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$200,516 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$200,516 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$200,516 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$200,516 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $200,516 is available from FY 2023/2024 appropriations for the Water Transmission fund. No additional appropriation is required.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Consultant/Service Provider Selection Memo
Attachment 2: Draft Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None