Board hears One Water framework proposing multi‑benefit projects and local water governance

Solano County staff and consultants presented an Integrated Water Resources Framework (One Water) that treats surface water, groundwater, stormwater and recycled water as a connected system and recommends governance, data and project steps to support agriculture and unincorporated communities.

"The purpose is a coordinated approach to managing water resources in the unincorporated part of the county," said Sachi Itagaki of Kennedy Jenks, summarizing steering‑committee findings that highlighted supply reliability, infrastructure limitations, drainage and flood management, and data gaps.

The framework identifies three geographic focus areas—Suisun Valley waterways, Dixon Ridge groundwater recharge, and Green/Suisun Valleys water/wastewater needs—and three conceptual project packages: stream/channel maintenance and permitting, coordinated recharge/drainage projects in the Dixon Ridge area, and water/wastewater assessments for agritourism and farm viability areas. Staff highlighted state funding sources (Prop 1/4 allocations, Department of Water Resources programs, SRF loans, Wildlife Conservation Board and IBank opportunities).

Several public commenters from Suisun Valley asked for more local engagement and urged staff to conduct field visits before expanding monitoring or regulatory programs; Lisa Howard offered to host tours to demonstrate how wells and winery wastewater systems operate in the valley.

Staff requested direction to release the framework for public comment (open through Jan. 22) and to present a finalized document in spring 2026. Board members asked for continued stakeholder outreach and emphasized that framework data should be used to inform the upcoming general plan update and ARPA‑funded utilities master plan components.