2009 Water Shortage

Commercial Business Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Why are we facing a water shortage?

A.  The last two years, our region has received significantly lower than average rainfall during the winter and spring months.  The lack of rainfall has resulted in significantly below average water storage levels in the region’s water supply reservoirs, Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino.  In addition, reductions in the amount of water that is diverted from the Eel River to Lake Mendocino have also had a significant effect on the water supply level.

To ensure that there is enough water supply available for Sonoma and Marin counties, as well as endangered fish species that live in the Russian River, the Sonoma County Water Agency has announced that it anticipates declaring a water shortage and requiring mandatory water rationing from all of its water customers.

Q.  What happens if it rains soon?  Will we still have to ration water use?

A.  While recent rainfall has helped replenish storage levels in Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma, rainfall levels and water storage levels are still significantly below average at this time. Significant amounts of rainfall are still needed to ensure enough water is available this year for all water users, including people, businesses, farmers, wildlife, recreation and the environment.

The City of Santa Rosa Utilities Department continues to work with the Sonoma County Water Agency, our wholesale water provider, regarding information on water supply storage and the amount of water that will be available to its customers this year.

Q.  Where does our water come from?

A.  The City of Santa Rosa purchases approximately 90% of our water from the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA).  Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma provide a majority of the water used for our water supply system.  SCWA operates the Russian River water supply system by pumping naturally filtered water from the ground near the Russian River in Forestville.  The water is treated and then distributed to its contractors, including the cities of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, Cotati, Petaluma, Town of Windsor, and the Marin Municipal Water District, North Marin Water District and Valley of the Moon Water District.

In addition, the City has two groundwater wells that provide approximately 10% of our water supply.

Q.  Who is the Sonoma County Water Agency?

A.  The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) is the region’s water supply provider.  SCWA was created as a special district in 1949 by the California Legislature to provide flood protection and water supply services to portions of Sonoma and Marin counties.  SCWA is authorized to produce and deliver potable water for municipal and industrial purposes; prevent the waste of water supplies; control and conserve flood and storm waters to reduce potential damage to life and property; provide sanitary sewage services; and provide recreational services in connection with flood control and water conservation activities.  SCWA operates under direction of a Board of Directors that consists of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. 

SCWA delivers water, on a wholesale basis, to customers through its water transmission system.  SCWA’s primary source of supply is the Russian River.  Additional information on the SCWA is available from their website: sonomacountywater.org.

Q.  How will water be rationed?

A.  The City of Santa Rosa has an adopted Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Shortage Plan) that outlines how the City will respond to a water shortage.   During Stage 1, the Utilities Department does not ration water but requests all customers to voluntarily reduce water use by 15%.  In the event of a further reduction in water supply, Stages 2, 3, or 4 could be implemented.  Stages 2, 3, and 4 allocate water based on customer account type. 

Q. What is the City doing to respond to the water supply shortage?

A.  On February 24^th, the Santa Rosa City Council declared a water shortage emergency and adopted Stage 1 of the City’s Shortage Plan.  Stage 1 is a voluntary program with a community-wide goal of reducing water use by 15%.  Stage 1 also prohibits using a hose without a hose-end nozzle; washing sidewalks, patios and other hard surfaces; and initiates a “water-on-request” program for restaurants.

The Utilities Department is asking all customers to reduce water use by 15% through eliminating water waste and improving water use efficiency.  Water conservation tips and additional water shortage information is available on our website at srcity.org/watershortage or by calling the Water Conservation Program at (707) 543-3985.

The Utilities Department is continuing to work with the Sonoma County Water Agency regarding the amount of water supply that will be available to the City this year.  As water supply conditions change, the City’s Shortage Plan will outline how the City will respond to ensure sufficient water supply will be available for the community.

Q. What is the Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Shortage Plan)?

A.  The Shortage Plan details how the City will respond in the event of a water shortage.  The Shortage Plan is designed to achieve a community-wide reduction in water use in response to a reduction in water supply. It outlines four stages of water supply reduction and overall demand reduction goals for the community. 

The Shortage Plan identifies consumption limits, a water shortage rate structure and prohibitions on water use for each water supply shortage stage.  In addition, the Shortage Plan includes information on how violations of water use restrictions will be handled, the process for requesting water allotment variances, and monitoring procedures. 

Q.  Where can I view a copy of the Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Shortage Plan)?

A.   Click here to view or download a copy of the City's Shortage Plan.  Copies of the Shortage Plan are also available to view at the Municipal Services Center South Building located at 69 Stony Circle, the Utility Billing Service Desk located at 90 Santa Rosa Avenue, and the City Clerk’s office located at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue.  Additional information may also be obtained from the Water Conservation Program by calling (707) 543-3985.

Q.  How much water will I get?

A.  The water allocation depends on the type of account you have and the Stage of Water Shortage declared by the City Council.   Some customers may already be meeting consumption limits.

 The following table lists the allocations for Commercial and Industrial customers, Health Care and Safety customers, and Dedicated Irrigation customers during Stages 2, 3 and 4 of a water shortage:

Q.  What if my site is already water efficient and I can’t reduce my water use? 

A.  If your business is already conserving as much water as possible, including all indoor water using fixtures are high efficiency and all processes use water as efficiently as possible, your business may qualify for a variance from the consumption limit.  To apply for a variance, you must contact the Water Conservation Program and request a reassessment of your consumption limit.  Reassessments will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Utilities.  Variances will be considered for water uses that support health and safety and for businesses that can demonstrate that water efficient fixtures and practices were in place for all indoor water uses prior to the declaration of a water shortage and therefore a percentage cutback based on previous use is not appropriate.  For outdoor water use, variances are only considered for inadequate allotments for mature trees.  For additional information on variances or to request a reassessment, please contact the Water Conservation Program at (707) 543-3985.

Q.  How will water rates be affected?

A.  The Shortage Plan includes a proposed water shortage rate structure based on modifications to the current water rate structure. The water shortage rate structure is designed to encourage customers to reduce water use per consumption limits and to reward customers for using water per the consumption limits.  The water shortage rate structure includes a Water Shortage Charge added to all water sold when mandatory rationing is in effect and an Excess Use Charge applied during Stage 3 and Stage 4 water shortages on all water used above consumption limits.  On April 21^st, the Santa Rosa City Council will hold a public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed water shortage rate structure.

If the proposed water shortage rate structure is adopted, it will only go into effect when a Stage 2, Stage 3, or Stage 4 water shortage is adopted by the City Council.  A Stage 1 water shortage does not change current water rates.  Click here for additional information on the proposed water shortage rates.

Q.  How will my bill be affected during a water shortage?

A.  Customers who reduce their water usage per the consumption limits should expect to see a decrease in the water portion of their monthly utility bill. 

Q.  What happens if I use more water than my allotment?

A.  During a Stage 2 water shortage, there is no monetary penalty for exceeding your consumption limits.  During Stages 3 and 4 of a water shortage, an Excess Use Charge is applied to all water used above the consumption limits. 

During Stages 2, 3 and 4 of a water shortage, there are additional penalties for customers who repeatedly use water in excess of the consumption limits. If customers exceed their allotment for 3 consecutive months or for 6 months out of a 12 month period, the Utilities Department could require customers to have a water audit and install water conserving devices, install a flow reducer at the water meter, or could disconnect water service.  Staff from the Utilities Department and Water Conservation Program are available to help customers understand the consumption limits, provide recommendations to reduce water use per the consumption limits, and to provide information on water conservation rebates and incentive programs.

Q.  Are there any services the Utilities Department is offering to help reduce my water use?

A.  Yes.  The Water Conservation Program offers many programs and incentives for reducing water use, identifying water waste and improving water use efficiency.  The Water Conservation Program also provides FREE indoor and outdoor audits, which assist customers in identifying and eliminating water waste and improving water use efficiency.   Audits can be requested by calling the Water Conservation Program at (707) 543-3985.

The Water Conservation Program also provides weekly watering recommendations through Turf-Time.  Call (707) 543-3466 or visit srcity.org/turftime.

Q.  What water conservation programs are available to assist me in reducing my water use?

A.  The City of Santa Rosa Water Conservation Program offers numerous rebate and incentive programs for all water customers.  To help reduce indoor water use, the Water Conservation Program provides FREE high-efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators, provides a Sustained Reduction Rebate for equipment and process changes that reduce water use, and provides rebates for replacing high-flow toilets with high-efficiency toilets, high-flow urinals with high-efficiency urinals, and washing machines with qualifying high-efficiency washing machines.  To improve water use efficiency outdoors, the Water Conservation Program offers a Green Exchange Rebate Program, which provides rebates for improving the efficiency of irrigation hardware and for replacing turf with low water use alternatives, provides a rainwater harvesting rebate, and offers FREE shut off hose nozzles.  For those customers that have one meter that provides both their indoor and irrigation water, the Water Conservation Program offers a Service Split Incentive Program to assist customers with installing a separate meter for irrigation water use.

For more information on current incentives or to request assistance in reducing your water use, please contact the Water Conservation Hotline at (707) 543-3985 or visit srcity.org/wc.

Q.  How are other cities affected?  How come rationing is different in each city?

A.  Every water supplier is affected by water supply shortages differently.  Some water providers have the ability to store greater volumes of water or have access to more local supplies, such as groundwater or recycled water.  Water use and customer type also varies from water supplier to water supplier.  To respond to dry conditions, all water suppliers in California have Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plans, which define actions to meet anticipated water supply shortfalls of up to 50%.

In our region, the SCWA supplies water to its contractors, including the cities of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, Cotati, Petaluma, Town of Windsor, and the Marin Municipal Water District, North Marin Water District and Valley of the Moon Water District.  Reductions in the amount of water that SCWA can provide this year will only affect those cities and water districts it supplies water.  Each of those cities and water districts has different sources of local supply and will be responding to the water supply reductions based on their Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plan.

Q.  How do I check my water usage?

A.  One way to determine your water usage prior to receiving your monthly water bill is to read your water meter.  Your water meter is typically located near the street in front of your business, housed in a concrete box labeled “WATER.”  Businesses can have multiple meters on-site, including meters providing water to the inside of the building and meters providing irrigation water use.  Typically, irrigation meters will have a backflow next to the meter on the property side.  You can also look at the meter number and compare it to your utility bill to determine if it is providing water to the inside of your building or to the irrigation system.

To read your water meter, carefully lift the lid of the meter box.  You will see a meter inside.  Slowly and carefully lift the cover of the meter to avoid damaging any wires.  Also, look carefully for spiders and other critters – the meter box is an ideal place for some to build a nest.  The meter should have a 7 digit number on the face of the meter.  This number measures the amount of water that has gone through the meter since it was installed.  To calculate your water usage, note the 7 digit reading and the date.  Read the meter 7 days later and subtract that initial reading number from the second reading.  This will tell you how much water you used during the week.  You can multiply this number by four to approximate your monthly water use.

Another way to track your water use is to logon to the Water Use Efficiency Calculator at srcity.org/WaterCalculator.  By entering your Utility Account number, password, number of residents and landscape square footage information, you can view your past water use, get information on your water use efficiency, and find out how much money and water you can save by improving your water use efficiency.  Your Utility Account number is located on your monthly utility bill.  You can also obtain this information as well as your password by calling Utility Billing at (707) 543-3150.

Q.  How much water do my fixtures use?

A.  Depending on the age and efficiency of the fixture that you have, your water fixtures can use the following amount of water:

• Sinks – 0.5 to 5 gallons per minute
• Showers – 2 to 7 gallons per minute
• Toilets – 1 to 7 gallons per flush
• Washing Machine – 11 to 31 gallons per load
• Urinals – 1/8^th to 3 gallons per flush
• Garden Hose – 5 to 10 gallons per minute
• Irrigating 1,000 square feet of grass – 850 gallons per week in the summer
• Irrigating 1,000 square feet of shrubs – 450 gallons per week in the summer
• Irrigating 1,000 square feet of low water use plants – 280 gallons per week in the summer

The Water Conservation Program provides high-efficiency showerheads and sink aerators for FREE to water customers.  In addition, there are rebates for replacing washing machines with qualifying high-efficiency washing machines, replacing high-flow toilets with high-efficiency toilets, and replacing high-flow urinals with high-efficiency urinals.  The Water Conservation Program also offers a Green Exchange Rebate Program, which provides rebates for improving the efficiency of irrigation hardware and for replacing turf with low water use alternatives.

Q.  Can I get recycled water?

A.  Recycled water is water from tubs, toilets and sinks inside homes and offices that travels to the Laguna Treatment Plant where it is cleaned through a very stringent treatment process.  The result is a high-quality, tertiary-treated water that is safe for the irrigation of landscapes, agricultural crops, vegetable crops, vineyards, playgrounds, golf courses, cemeteries, freeway landscaping, street medians, as well as for use in certain industrial processes.  Currently, recycled water is used at a few locations in Santa Rosa, including Finley Park, A Place to Play, and the Oakmont Golf Course.

Recycled water is highly regulated and is not for drinking.  In order to provide recycled water, the City must install a separate set of purple colored pipelines to distribute recycled water.  Currently, the City of Santa Rosa has a proposed project to bring recycled water to certain irrigation sites along Stony Point Road.  The City is also working on expanding the recycled water system in the future.  For additional information on recycled water or the City’s proposed recycled water project, please visit srcity.org/recycledwater.

Q.  Can I use graywater?

A.  Graywater is defined by the State of California as untreated household wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste.  It includes used water from bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, and washing machines.  It does not include wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks or dishwashers.

The City of Santa Rosa does allow graywater systems.  In order to install a graywater system, you must obtain a permit from the City’s Community Development department, meet all California Graywater requirements per Title 24 of the State Code, and meet all plumbing and building code requirements, including installation of a backflow device. 

For additional information on graywater requirements or to obtain information on permit requirements, please contact the Community Development Department at (707) 543-3230.

Q.  What are the long-term effects to our water supply?

A.  The city is currently under contract with the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) for the delivery of up to 29,100 acre feet of water annually.  In addition to SCWA supply, the city has 2,300 acre feet per year of supply from Santa Rosa’s own groundwater sources and provides approximately 350 acre-feet per year of recycled water. In the long-term, the city’s current water supplies will need to be supplemented to meet the growth projected in the city’s General Plan. 

The additional long-term supply will be met through any combination of the following sources: increased use of Santa Rosa’s own recycled water; additional water conservation; additional supply from SCWA; and possible further use of Santa Rosa’s groundwater resources.

During the past two years, the region received significantly lower than average rainfall.  These short-term water supply shortages are expected in our climate and are considered and incorporated into long-term water supply analysis and planning. 

Q.  Why do we continue to develop during a water shortage?

A.  Currently, the City has adopted Stage 1 of our Shortage Plan, asking the community to voluntarily reduce water use by 15%. At this time, Santa Rosa is not limiting building permits because there is adequate, reliable long term water supply available during most hydrologic conditions for both current and future users as dictated by the City’s growth management regulations.

The Shortage Plan details how the City will respond during a water shortage and requires new development to offset their water demand in Stages 3 and 4.  The Shortage Plan requires new development to offset the water demand of their new project by conserving two times the amount of the demand during Stage 3 and 3 times the amount of the demand during Stage 4. 

Q.  How can I get additional information?

A.  Additional information is available on our website: srcity.org/watershortage or by calling the Water Conservation Program at (707) 543-3985.  For more information on your water bill or to update information on the type of business you have, please call Utility Billing at (707) 543-3150.