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Council hears Marin Water presentation on Sonoma water supply agreement; vice mayor advises support
Summary
Representatives from Marin Municipal Water District briefed council on a proposed renewal of a water-supply agreement with Sonoma Water; council members expressed support and the city will advise its Water Advisory Council representative ahead of an Aug. 4 meeting.
Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water) staff presented a briefing to the City Council on a proposed renewal of the districtagreement with Sonoma Water Agency and sought direction for the cityto advise its Water Advisory Council representative.
Paul Sully, Water Resources Director for Marin Water, summarized Marin Water's role as a long-term purchaser of supplemental Russian River supplies, noting Marin Water has contracted for about 14,300 acre-feet from Sonoma but typically takes the minimum "take-or-pay" amount in a normal year. Sully described key changes in the proposed agreement: extending the agreement term from 10 to 15 years, a $12.5 million lump-sum contribution from Marin Water to support Sonoma Water resiliency projects, and a revised maximum-delivery provision that removes restrictive annual ramp-up limits so Marin Water could take additional available water when Sonoma Water can deliver it.
"We have 7 local reservoirs that provide about 75% of our water supply, and we get about 25% on a typical year from the Russian River," Sully said. He also described Marin Water's internal evaluation of alternatives and a preferred regional project called the ARC (atmospheric/rain-capture pipeline) that would capture excess winter flows into reservoirs in drought years.
Vice Mayor Wallander (city representative on the county water advisory committee) and other council members asked questions about water quality differences and the allocation method in drought years. Sully replied that allocation methodology is set by Sonoma Water and applies equally to all contractors in shortages; he said Marin Water would not receive preferential treatment. The council signaled support for the agreement and directed the city's water advisory delegate to consider recommending approval at the Sonoma County Water Agency Water Advisory Council meeting on Aug. 4.
No vote was required; the item was for information and direction.
