To: Board of Directors, Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District
Staff Name and Phone Number: Grant Davis 707-547-1900, Kevin Booker 707-521-1865
Vote Requirement: 2/3rd
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Feasibility Study of the 8th Street East Recycled Water Pipeline Project with Brown and Caldwell
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize Sonoma County Water Agency’s General Manager acting on behalf of Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement for Feasibility Study of the 8th Street East Recycled Water Pipeline Project with Brown and Caldwell, in substantially the form as the draft presented to this Board. The amended agreement increases the amount by $20,000, with no changes to the scope of work or agreement term for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $438,199 and term end date January 30, 2027.
(2/3rd Vote Required) (First District)
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Executive Summary:
The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District (District) and the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVGSA) are exploring the possibility of expanding the use of recycled water in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, specifically along the 8th Street East corridor (Project Area). This study will assess the potential for supplying recycled water to commercial and agricultural users. Additionally, it will analyze three possible pipeline alignment alternatives that would connect to the existing reclamation system operated by District. Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and SVGSA have an existing agreement for collaboration and reimbursement of expenses for this project. As the project will be implemented by the District utilizing Sonoma Water staff, rather than Sonoma Water itself, Sonoma Water will pass through reimbursement from SVGSA to the District. Following the execution of the agreement, it was discovered that the fee schedule did not incorporate the rate increases from 2024/25 to 2025/26. The amended agreement addresses that oversight.
Discussion:
HISTORY OF ITEM/BACKGROUND
Groundwater levels in Sonoma Valley have been declining in several areas for over a decade. This is particularly evident in the southeastern part of the valley, where some wells have experienced a drop of up to 150 feet in the past 20 years. Factors contributing to this decline include increased groundwater pumping for various uses, reduced recharge capacity due to impervious surfaces, and extreme weather patterns, such as droughts and floods. To help stabilize and maintain the groundwater supply in the area, increasing the use of recycled water for agricultural, landscaping, and commercial applications could be beneficial for the community.
District has been producing and distributing recycled water locally for agricultural use since approximately 1990. District is capable of delivering additional recycled water for beneficial purposes, particularly during the winter months (November through April), with limited availability during the summer months (May through October). District, in collaboration with SVGSA, aims to expand the beneficial use of recycled water by enhancing the existing recycled water distribution system.
District and SVGSA have conducted outreach through a survey to potential users in the Project Area to gauge property owners’ interest in using recycled water. District and SVGSA have received several survey responses, as well as direct requests from property owners to District, regarding their interest in using recycled water.
Sonoma Water has an existing agreement to provide reimbursable technical services with SVGSA that includes the scope for this project. SVGSA will reimburse Sonoma Water through this existing agreement and Sonoma Water will pass through the funding to the District for its portion of the work completed. SVGSA has agreed to reimburse project costs with an amount not to exceed a total of $200,000.
To date, the work undertaken or commenced encompasses: convening the kick-off meeting and conducting a site visit; holding supplementary meetings with staff; and reviewing background information, such as requests for as-builts, existing topographic data, recycled water demand data, and utility verification requests to public utilities. Additionally, an analysis of potential pipeline alignments has been initiated.
District and Brown and Caldwell (Consultant) entered into an agreement for development of a feasibility study, dated September 9, 2025, in the amount of $418,199. Following the execution of the agreement, it was discovered that the fee schedule did not incorporate the rate increases from 2024/25 to 2025/26. The amended agreement addresses that oversight.
The additional cost is $20,000, for a new not-to-exceed agreement total of $438,199. There is no change to end date of January 30, 2027.
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 of its experience implementing recycled water projects and studies, and its familiarity with the North Bay Water Reuse Authority and United States Bureau of Reclamation funding processes.
SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
Under the proposed amended agreement, Consultant will continue conducting the feasibility study to evaluate three potential routes for installing the system pipelines: 8th Street East, Napa Road, and Denmark Street. Additionally, Consultant will continue reviewing background information, providing cultural resources constraints analysis to determine the sensitivity of the cultural resources of the proposed alignments, conducting a topographic survey along the selected alignment, and preparing a conceptual design report.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
12/16/2025: Board approved an agreement between Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District and Brown and Caldwell for feasibility and analysis of engineering design through January 30, 2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $418,199.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$20,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$20,000 |
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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 |
$20,000 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$20,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Budgeted amount of $20,000 is available from FY 2026/2027 appropriations for the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District Operations 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: Draft Amended Agreement with Brown and Caldwell
Attachment 2: Consultant Selection Memo
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None