Residents of Santa Rosa are fortunate to have a source of very high quality drinking water. The Utilities Department performs over 2000 laboratory tests a year which are reported to the State Department of Public Health. Your water supply meets or exceeds all State and Federal Standards. State and Federal law requires the City to annually distribute a report on water quality to our customers. We hope you find this information interesting.
Well Water use increases air bubbles in the water
City of Santa Rosa water customers who reside west of Farmers Lane to Brookwood Avenue and parts of Bennett Valley may notice subtle changes in their tap water, such as cloudiness or slightly elevated temperature. This is the result of the city’s summer well water production to support the Sonoma County Water Agencies efforts to maintain Russian River water levels. The changes in water characteristics as a result of our use of well water will last from about June through November. Regardless of these changes, residents should know that Santa Rosa’s water is safe to drink and continues to meet stringent state and federal water-quality standards.
Water in the City of Santa Rosa water distribution system is under pressure, causing any air present to be dissolved in the water until the pressure is released at the tap. Dissolved air in the water is not harmful to people and will not damage plumbing or appliances.
Cloudy water typically is caused by millions of tiny air bubbles. They are harmless and not a health concern. If the amount of dissolved air is low, the water may appear to sparkle or have small bubbles. If there is a greater amount of dissolved air in the water, millions of very tiny bubbles will appear when the pressure is released, giving the water a cloudy appearance. It may take several minutes for the air to escape. As it does, the water will clear from the bottom of the glass, upward.
Dissolved air is present in the City of Santa Rosa's Farmers Lane groundwater production wells. There are several factors that can influence the amount of dissolved or "entrained" air from deep wells, including:
Locations of the perforations in the well casing.
Depth of the well.
Static water levels (depth to water) in the well.
Quantity of water pumped.
For more information about the City of Santa Rosa’s annual maintenance activities, water sources, or water-quality test results, view our most recent Water Quality Report below.
View this year’s Water Quality Report, reflecting on 2008’s Water Quality Monitoring Results. Other topics included are Water Conservation, Fire Hydrants, Important Health Information, Water Well Treatment and general information about Santa Rosa’s drinking water. For past years reports, check the "Water Quality Links" at the left.
You can also download:
If you would like additional copies of these reports, please call the Water Quality Office at 543-3965. Business owners are encouraged to provide the information to their employees.