To: Board of Supervisors, Sonoma County Water Agency Board of Directors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Emergency Management, Sonoma County Water Agency, Transportation and Public Works
Staff Name and Phone Number: Christopher Godley, 565-2052, Grant Davis, 547-1911, Johannes Hoevertsz, 565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Drought Conditions Update and Local Emergency Proclamation Continuation
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Continue Local Emergency Proclamation Due to Drought Conditions
B) Authorize the Director of the Transportation and Public Works Department to execute the Agreement for Emergency Water Service with California-American Water Company until October 1, 2022
end
Executive Summary:
On April 27, 2021, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed a local emergency due to drought conditions in the Sonoma County Operational Area. Critically low rainfall over the last two years has resulted in historically low water storage levels in the region’s two water supply reservoirs and storage levels continue to decline.
The adverse environmental, economic, health, welfare and social impacts of the drought continue to pose an imminent threat of disaster, and threaten to cause widespread potential harm to people, businesses, agriculture, property, communities, the environment, wildlife and recreation in Sonoma County. Therefore, this item requests the Board of Supervisors approve a 60-day continuation of the April 27, 2021 proclamation of local emergency.
Discussion:
In coordination with the County of Sonoma’s Department of Emergency Management, the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) will provide oversight and program management for a drought relief program that will help supply immediate potable water for health and safety purposes in the upper Russian River region.
Severe drought conditions have resulted in Russian River diversion cutbacks mandated by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). In addition, dry weather conditions are straining private groundwater wells. For example, the City of Healdsburg can no longer contract with water hauling companies to provide potable water from its water supply system to rural residents for health and safety purposes. These water hauling services are critical for providing rural residents with potable water for health and safety purposes.
In response, California American Water (CalAm) has agreed to enter into contract with the County to provide potable water from its water system during this drought emergency. The County will then provide water to rural residents who formerly received water from the City of Healdsburg via water haulers. CalAm has requested that Sonoma County Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) provide the management of this drought relief effort. The management of the program will include the County entering into an agreement with the water haulers who will then enter into agreement with the end users for the cost of hauling of the CalAm water. CalAm will invoice TPW for the water. The water will be provided at no cost to the end user. If the maximum amount of water is utilized each month (1,00,000 gallons), the approximate cost to the County is $12,000 per month. Those haulers that currently contract with the City of Healdsburg will be included in the program for immediate drought relief.
This drought relief program will continue until severe drought conditions cease and water hauling operations from the City of Healdsburg are re-established or as CalAm deems necessary in order to service its existing service area during the ongoing drought.
Continuance of Local Emergency Proclamation
As required by Government Code section 8630, the Board must review the proclamation of local emergency every 60 days and determine if there is a need for continuing the local emergency. Due to the ongoing adverse impacts of the drought, staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve continuation of the April 27, 2021 Proclamation of a Local Emergency Due to Drought Conditions in the Sonoma County Operational Area for an additional 60 days.
Prior Board Actions:
09-14-2021: Received Drought Conditions Update and Local Emergency Proclamation Declaration Continued
07-20-2021: Received Drought Conditions Update and Local Emergency Proclamation Declaration Continued
06-18-2021: Board of Directors approved emergency drought response actions including adopting a resolution making findings of a need to perform emergency work without bidding to protect health, property and essential public services; and delegating authority to the General Manager of Sonoma Water to take actions necessary pursuant to the restructured agreement for water supply.
06-08-2021: Board received drought conditions update and continued the April 27, 2021 local emergency proclamation due to drought conditions.
05-18-2021: Board adopted a concurrent budget resolution providing $400,000 of contingency funding to support Santa Rosa Plain Drought Resiliency Project.
05-11-2021: Board received an update on current status of drought conditions and adopted a concurrent resolution urging a 20% voluntary reduction in water use and other specific actions.
04-27-2021: Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution Proclaiming a Local Emergency to Drought Conditions in the Sonoma County Operational Area and Requesting the Governor to Seek a Presidential Declaration.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.