[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6673486,"mediaKeyId","2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2","parentId",2245741,"title","Santa Rosa staff report strong reservoir storage, recycled-water discharges and outreach push; PG&E Potter Valley proposal opens 30-day comment period","audioSeconds",638,"startMs",204000,"endMs",842000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2&start=204&end=842","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2/thumbnail_204000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6673486/Santa-Rosa-City/Sonoma-County/California/Santa-Rosa-staff-report-strong-reservoir-storage-recycled-water-discharges-and-outreach-push-PGE-Potter-Valley-proposal-opens-30-day-comment-period","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673486-acfc94ce6d11ddb5b2ccd725df51f2c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927106&Signature=lo8Fa-EQ7PxDJb0XT6dFB5BuR6Uw4wFtF67VPe2p26pZTJqypJHN0n~eF7lmovmgMDvr5f7CE29mh3bPNA8EeA1wi7zu-QN~zmK6wOzQtt2Omb6pGnUjmo2QaYAZ3ihUISERIZz43rHEHSl8uVW6ia5McHyQqVN3BJnyo~hlSrU520SOFNr5TLiliB9Wg9twLQqShvTk3W1iQry4HrOGVixVuCHu-7uLod9sRFGcEVIMGKIviknq8a8DEag7zSqKf2dtqwbSmUAc00HSVD5WpuaTOTTC9uJ1Ry6PpnhPels5AkNmPyP3VYiFn6LR2AGqneacEVsdzjgqAgzWe67~cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Santa Rosa, CA","date","2025-02-06T23:18:33.793Z","article","Santa Rosa Water staff reported that regional water supplies and recycled-water storage are well above average for this time of year, announced a planned discharge of recycled water using existing credits, and described outreach and grant-funded programs to conserve water.

Peter Martin, deputy director of water resources, told the Board of Public Utilities that Sonoma Water is operating under a temporary change order tying minimum end-stream flows to storage in Lake Mendocino rather than cumulative inflow into the Eel River. Martin said Lake Pillsbury held about 64,500 acre-feet as of the presentation, well above target, and Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma storage were “well above the forecast” with Lake Sonoma near 284,500 acre-feet. He said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had managed releases for flood control and that releases from reservoirs could occur in the coming days to draw levels back to flood-control pools.

Staff described multiple outreach and conservation efforts: a regional “dye tab” leak-detection challenge running through March that offers free dye tabs and a $25 gift-card prize and extensive bill inserts and social media outreach through the regional Save Water partnership. Martin also summarized a direct-install program for ultra-high-efficiency toilets funded in the 2022–23 budget with a $1.5 million allocation; staff said the phase-1 program is almost complete with roughly $170,000 remaining and about 1,800 toilet packages to be installed. Phase 2 work funded through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program will target low-income residents and a wait list from phase 1.

Andrew Romero, wastewater reclamation superintendent, presented recycled-water production and storage data. Romero said recent storms raised recycled-water storage by roughly 300 million gallons above average for the time of year, and staff planned to discharge about 300 million gallons in addition to the December discharge of roughly 300 million gallons. Romero said staff expect to use just under 2,000 credits for the 2024–25 water year and expect approximately 15,000 credits to remain after the current planned discharge.

Martin and Romero answered board questions about pumping limits to treated-water delivery sites (the Geysers) and operating constraints; staff said pumping to geothermal customers is at maximum capacity, so excess plant flows must go to storage or discharge.

Martin also reported that PG&E released a draft license surrender and decommissioning application for the Potter Valley project and a related decommissioning plan that includes removal of two dams on the Eel River. The draft filing, which PG&E released for public comment (a 30-day comment period), also incorporates a 30% design of a proposed new Eel-to-Russian River diversion facility advanced by the Eel Russian Project Authority (ERPA) — described in PG&E’s materials as the NERF (New Eel-Russian Facility). Martin said the Bureau of Reclamation has provided approximately $2 million to bring the proposed diversion design to 60% and that PG&E’s schedule anticipates submitting a final application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on July 29. He urged interested parties to watch the public-comment process.

Board members asked procedural questions about the FERC process; staff said the FERC filing would formally begin the federal review and that consultation with resource agencies and tribes would continue following the public comment period.

The board took no formal action on PG&E’s filing at the meeting. Staff said they would monitor the FERC schedule and coordinate technical comments with Sonoma Water and regional partners as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities February 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Santa Rosa Water staff told the Board of Public Utilities the region’s reservoirs and recycled-water storage are well above average, planned discharges will use existing recycled-water credits, and PG&E released a draft Potter Valley license-surrender and decommissioning application that opens a 30-day public-comment period.","taxTitle","Santa Rosa City, Sonoma County, California","taxId",3913,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6673489,"Board approves Hazen & Sawyer agreement for Laguna headworks seismic retrofit design",1357,1355000,2712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2&start=1355&end=2712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2/thumbnail_1355000.jpg","/articles/6673489/Santa-Rosa-City/Sonoma-County/California/Board-approves-Hazen-Sawyer-agreement-for-Laguna-headworks-seismic-retrofit-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673489-76ff13b85b23895e191461e16b18132b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927106&Signature=B7GbAsvc~9TvNYd61X4tdeqzzA3Hy4FWcLj-3m1Kd2ZzuUTCNOmrw1V94lWLKHtTB~xKlrDTX4KqKXsmq~snfNUxB46XbI99vCaPBjIf3smob1~jwYXnNsl0WiPl1eiATKPrEK-xBYmrqwCfqWNgSZdPQoRKRMP4m-tbINOQNQ-~x35Dk9-4RWEdhtGwnSv4mxf3dn8UNcbl-LBQ3e6uYRW0TbXJ2PLCs7jcah2qGFgjbnDbZVo0QxzYILGdjs5Ay8vWud~cxds4G36Bb9lxVWAz6WyJjSY-KkHlRipiWymUS6DHbJDcIDJVEwCxg0W5E81KLe6R8YrUNHUrdktEkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously to approve a professional services agreement with Hazen & Sawyer for 90% design of a seismic retrofit at the Laguna wastewater treatment plant headworks, funding the contract in an amount not to exceed $443,626.

The board acted after a presentation from Tanya Mokwitz, water reuse engineer for Santa Rosa Water, who described structural deterioration in the headworks superstructure and recommended a phased retrofit. Mokwitz said a full replacement of the headworks was estimated at roughly $300 million (2023 dollars) and therefore not feasible in the near term. Staff evaluated four interim alternatives — superstructure demolition and equipment frame ($12.7 million), a pre-engineered metal canopy ($17 million), a tent canopy ($15.5 million) and carbon fiber wrapping ($3.7 million) — and recommended carbon fiber wrapping of existing columns because it met seismic reliability needs at the lowest near-term cost and would minimize operational disruptions.

Mokwitz told the board the project scope would include carbon fiber wrapping of columns, rehabilitation of four corroded monorails and chain hoists, and concrete repairs to primary sedimentation tanks and the underground digester gallery. She summarized the budget as approximately $443,000 for design and about $7 million for construction (all figures shown in the presentation were in 2023 dollars) and noted that part of the construction cost could be reimbursed through FEMA if the city’s Hazard Mitigation Grant application is awarded.

“Once the design starts, the consultant will perform a finite element analysis for the concrete moving moment frames and the design of wrapping system,” Mokwitz said in her presentation. She said completion of 90% design would be expected within about one year after contract execution.

Mark Solomon of Hazen & Sawyer answered board questions on expected service life for the interim repairs. “The carbon fiber is anticipated to last 10 years or more,” Solomon said, adding that life spans for the other interim options were broadly similar, with a pre-engineered metal canopy likely lasting longer than the others.

Staff described the consultant selection process: the request for proposals was advertised in September 2024, one proposal was received (Hazen & Sawyer), and the selection panel evaluated responsiveness, team qualifications, demonstrated technical ability and reasonableness of fee. Staff said the pool of firms with the specialized expertise required for this project is limited and that several firms had prior commitments preventing timely proposals.

On funding, staff said the project is currently budgeted in the city’s cash-funded capital improvement program and that the city would proceed to implement the repairs regardless of grant outcomes. Staff also said they are preparing for the potential of a bond sale or use of excess bond proceeds if FEMA funding is not received. Mokwitz said that Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services) recommended the project to FEMA for further review in September 2024; if FEMA awards the Hazard Mitigation Grant, it would fund design completion from 90% to final and would fund at least 75% of construction costs. Staff estimated the FEMA grant could cover at least $2.8 million of the total project cost, but the grant award timeframe was “not known at this time.”

Vice Chair Arnoni made the motion to approve the agreement; Board member Matthew Mullen seconded. The roll-call vote recorded approval by Board members Mullen, DeWitt, Bartholow, Vice Chair Arnoni and Chair Galvin, with Board members Wright and Battenfort absent. The motion carried.

Staff said executing the design contract would allow the city to meet seismic safety code requirements and reduce risk of major injuries or plant disruption in the event of an earthquake. The board asked and received clarification that the selected interim approach is intended to extend serviceability until a full replacement could be funded and built.

The board did not discuss a construction contract award at this meeting; staff said they would return if a contract amendment were needed following FEMA determination or to proceed to construction.","The Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities approved a professional services agreement with Hazen & Sawyer to produce 90% design documents for a seismic retrofit of the Laguna treatment plant headworks. The board approved the agreement unanimously; staff said FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding could reimburse a substantial share of costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6673481,"Santa Rosa to partner on feasibility study for groundwater recharge using Martha Way test well after GSA $5.3M award",444,2800000,3244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2&start=2800&end=3244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2245741-8a78f5f391b293b4057a4402bff468c2/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","/articles/6673481/Santa-Rosa-City/Sonoma-County/California/Santa-Rosa-to-partner-on-feasibility-study-for-groundwater-recharge-using-Martha-Way-test-well-after-GSA-53M-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6673481-75bfa53745ab4e80a71919ceca1020ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1774927106&Signature=kLMpzbyqbw6ZImHlN8GOx294R8IxLCEN1OHtmPq3kqigg3RkIt4OznzcPQdm3s8wa~nPr0AJmvQs7fHe8zYMtYEHxxmHVUsjZAqfmqUuzqh9XsaKcb5Z4-Lw2u~BIZqhCBGu-DINUIfdPQ9fKXDDtfEOtgRH5wJXJga2p-ZYpPxn-Q-mAEfwQ57FqmU5jAKymgiNzaWJxCQRW6jmcYOT1Y3jXv9g5Sd1lUwtwWxVlVVZ-etNg6xKcleJnHLa9gtNxK7LVkzbWwf2EEXu1StROBbNLhFszquZhXaIaNScli591oRcmuNpUkyenWW99pdX25IMyFgck2y7h5U0WsXpUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Santa Rosa staff said the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) has been awarded $5.3 million to implement projects and studies in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan, including a feasibility study of aquifer storage and recovery that could use the city’s Martha Way test well.

Director Burke and deputy staff described the two-phase feasibility study: first rehabilitate the Martha Way monitoring/test well (cleaning and scrubbing the wellbore); second, conduct a short-duration injection test in which potable water from the city’s distribution system would be introduced, followed by pumping and continuous geophysical monitoring. Staff said the exercise is intended as a technical feasibility study — a short pilot lasting about a week — and is not a permanent conversion of the test well into a production well.

Deputy Director Peter Martin said the injected water for the test would be purchased from Sonoma Water and that the test would likely use a small tap (two-inch) from a nearby six- or eight-inch distribution main to introduce a few hundred gallons per minute for a short period. He said the pilot would include data loggers and possibly a colocated pump to assess aquifer response, possible recharge capacity and the behavior of surrounding monitoring wells.

Staff emphasized permitting and coordination requirements: the feasibility study is contingent on a permit from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the GSA obtaining a right-of-way license from the city to access the well site. Staff also said the Martha Way site has physical constraints — a small property footprint and hydrologic connections to existing production wells (Farmers Lane wells) — so the city is not planning to convert the test well into a production source at this time.

Board members asked whether water used for testing would be potable and whether the scheme could become a long-term supply. Staff confirmed the test would use potable water from the city distribution system and characterized the work as a feasibility pilot to inform potential future projects; it is not an immediate production project. Staff said the GSA must obtain the necessary permits and that the study would be designed to conclude within the available grant timeline.

Staff said the city has worked on related groundwater pilot efforts with regional partners previously and that the Martha Way test could provide valuable local information if the pilot proceeds. The board did not take formal action at the meeting; staff said they will return with updates as the study progresses and permits are obtained.","The Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency received a $5.3 million grant to implement projects from its groundwater plan; staff told the board the grant could fund a feasibility study for aquifer storage and recovery using the Martha Way test well and a Roaner Park site, pending RWQCB permits and right-of-way agreements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Rosa staff report strong reservoir storage, recycled-water discharges and outreach push; PG&E Potter Valley proposal opens 30-day comment period

Board approves Hazen & Sawyer agreement for Laguna headworks seismic retrofit design

Santa Rosa to partner on feasibility study for groundwater recharge using Martha Way test well after GSA $5.3M award