In average rainfall years, Santa Rosa has sufficient water supply to meet the needs of our growing community out to at least 2045 (projecting a 30% increase in population and accounting for higher density development). For a detailed analysis, please see Santa Rosa’s Urban Water Management Plan. During extended dry periods (such as 2020-2022), Santa Rosa addresses water shortages by implementing its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. 

Santa Rosa serves over 53,400 water connections, including about 49,000 connections for 175,755 residents and 4,400 connections for thousands of businesses, nonprofits, schools, public facilities, and other institutions. Each year, our community consumes about 5.6 billion gallons of water, which is used by customer of all types and by the city to flush water mains, test hydrants, repair system leaks, and fight fires. On average, the city purchases 93% of its drinking water supply from Sonoma Water (Russian River water) and produces about 7% of its drinking water from city wells. During extended dry periods, Sonoma Water may experience water shortages, which impacts Santa Rosa’s water supply. 

The city also recycles and reuses wastewater from Santa Rosa, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, South Park Sanitation District, and portions of unincorporated Sonoma County. The wastewater goes through four stringent treatment and disinfection steps at the Santa Rosa Regional Water Reuse facility, resulting in high quality recycled water that is safe for irrigation of landscapes, pastures, agricultural crops, vegetable and fruit crops, and for industrial processes and other (non-drinking water) uses. On average, 98% of the recycled water is used each year to irrigate approximately 6,400 acres of agricultural lands and urban landscaping, and for the Geysers Recharge Project to generate clean electricity.