What is this project?
The City of Santa Rosa is finalizing plans to evaluate site conditions by drilling exploratory holes at two locations to determine if the site can support an emergency supply well.  If the site conditions are favorable, an emergency groundwater well is proposed to be installed. The two sites being evaluated are the Oakmont Treatment Plant and a newly acquired site on Speers Road. 

 
What’s the purpose?
In the event of an emergency or disconnection to the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) Aqueduct, the water provided by the wells will support Santa Rosa Water customers, such as hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, homes and businesses. The emergency well would be operated up to 15 days (per year), which would allow for repairs to reconnect to the SCWA Aqueduct.
The need for these projects was identified in the 2013 Groundwater Master Plan. Currently in the event of an emergency, the City would not be able to meet the City’s health and safety demands for water.
Multiple locations are currently being investigated to install new emergency wells and to perform needed maintenance to protect the water supply at existing groundwater wells.
This project improvement will:
• Provide water to hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, homes and businesses during an emergency.
• Maintain pressure in water mains to keep fire hydrants operational during an emergency.