Water Quality Advisory

Copy of Copy of Post-Fire Water Quality Webpage (3)

Water Quality Restored to Fire-Impacted Fountaingrove Neighborhood

Following targeted repairs to remove the post-fire contamination from the community's water system in Fountaingrove, water quality has been restored, and water quality meets all state and federal standards for safe drinking water.


To restore the water system, the City worked closely with the California Division of Drinking Water and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a water quality sampling plan to confirm the repairs were effective in resolving the contamination. The process included taking a series of recurring water samples from 65 locations, as well as sampling all water service lines after they were replaced. Following the lifting of the water quality advisory extensive samples were taken over a 12 month period (October 2018-October 2019) to ensure water quality continued to meet all safe drinking water standards.



Monitoring Water Quality 

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After the water quality advisory was lifted on October 11, 2018, Santa Rosa Water performed enhanced water quality monitoring in Fountaingrove for the entire year following. Santa Rosa Water thoroughly performed all  actions under the plan (see sampling plan below) and has confirmed that drinking water in the Fountaingrove area continues to meet drinking water quality standards.
  
Detailed Sampling Plan 

Following the lifting of the drinking water advisory, effective October 11, 2018, Santa Rosa Water implemented the following sampling protocol:

  • The first two months following lifting of the advisory - sample all 65 hydrants and three sample stations in the advisory area every two weeks.
  • Months three through six - sample all 65 hydrants and three sample stations in the advisory area once per month.
  • Month six through twelve - sample all 65 hydrants and three sample stations in the advisory area  once per quarter.
  • One year following the lifting the of the advisory – return to regulatory requirement of quarterly sampling, which will include a sample from two sample stations in the advisory area.
The below map shows historical water quality monitoring data of the fire-impacted area of Fountaingrove:

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Background: Fountaingrove Drinking Water Advisory 

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On November 10, 2017, Santa Rosa Water issued a drinking water advisory for 13 homes in the Fountaingrove area. This advisory went into effect after benzene and other contaminants were detected in  the drinking water system. The advisory was lifted on October 11, 2018.


Post-fire Water Quality Investigation


Santa Rosa Water's number one priority post-fire was safely restoring water service to the fire damaged portion of the water system in Fountaingrove.

Santa Rosa Water worked with our regulators, the California Division of Drinking Water (DDW) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on an intensive investigation and a plan to lift the water quality advisory.

Through our intensive investigation, the data showed the highest levels of contamination were in water services, which deliver water from the water main in the street to your water meter. The City began replacing fire damaged water services in June 2018 as part of a Capital Improvement Project (CIP).

To view details about the project and a map identifying service lines that were replaced, please visit:

Based on data from extensive sampling, replacement of the contaminated water service lines appeared to resolve the issue. Santa Rosa Water worked with our regulators, DDW, and the EPA on a plan to ensure water quality was restored and to lift the water quality advisory in the Fountaingrove area.

In order to left the advisory, Santa Rosa Water completed the following actions: 

  • Performed targeted replacement to remove contamination
  • Sampled all service lines post replacement
  • Re-sampled 10% of all service lines
  • Conducted weekly sampling of 65 hydrants for 4 weeks
To view the full Plan for Lifting the Water Quality Advisory in the Fountaingrove Area, click here.  

Santa Rosa Water thoroughly performed all  actions under the plan and has confirmed that drinking water in the Fountaingrove area, meets drinking water quality standards.

e-Newsletter Updates During the investigation: 

  • October 11, 2018 - News Release - City of Santa Rosa Restores Water Quality in Fire-Impacted Fountaingrove Neighborhood
  • September 13, 2018 - Community Meeting - Plan For Lifting The Water Quality Advisory
  • August 27, 2018 - Ongoing Repairs, Testing, and Upcoming Meetings 
  • August 21, 2018 - Path Towards Restoring Water Quality- Repairs & Upcoming Meetings
  • August 10, 2018 - Replacing Water Service Lines Showing Promise 
  • July 27, 2018 - Construction Update: Water Service Line Replacement
  • July 13, 2018 - Construction Update: Water System Repairs 
  • June 29, 2018 - Construction Update: Water Service Line Replacements 
  • June 14, 2018 - What's Happening Inside and Outside of the Advisory Area 
  • June 1, 2018 - Phase 1: Replacing Damaged Service Lines
  • May 18, 2018 - Next Steps for Restoring Water Quality
  • April 30, 2018 - Reconnecting to Water Service in Fountaingrove Water Quality Advisory Area
  • March 23, 2018 - Investigation Results and Special Meeting
  • February 23, 2018 - Post-fire Water Quality Investigation

Click here to sign-up to receive updates.

Watch Previous Meeting Videos Online:
 Joint BPU and City Council Meeting Video:
  Special Meeting of the City Council Video:
 Board of Public Utilities 
  
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Historical Post-fire Water Quality Investigation Map

The below map shows historical post-fire drinking water quality investigative sample results.


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Resources

EF9A9471For water quality questions, please call 707-543-3965 or email [email protected]. Our office hours are from 8am to 5pm Monday through Thursday and 8am to 4pm every other Friday.

For information on the rebuilding process, connecting to water and sewer service, and permits, please contact the Resilient City Permit Center at 707-543-4649 or via email at [email protected]. 

The permit center is located at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 6, Santa Rosa, 95404 and is open Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can also visit srcity.org/rebuild for additional information. 

Letter for lenders - Water Quality Restored to Fountaingrove Area (PDF), click here to download.

Technical Memorandum

  1. Post-Fire Water Quality Investigation: Analysis of Cause of Water Contamination
  2. Appendices to Analysis of Cause of Water Contamination