Dormant Sonoma Water well now back online

11 October 2021

Sonoma Water operations coordinator Garett Walker describes the new pumping system to add chlorine to water from a Todd Ave. underground well on Thursday, October 7, 2021. The well last used in 2015 during an extended drought and now will supply about 1.5 million gallons to the city of Petaluma. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

With water supplies diminishing across California, the Sonoma County Water Agency pulled off a major coup by bringing a fresh water source into play that will make another 1.6 million gallons a day or so available to its contractors.

While not exactly new, the rehabilitated groundwater well off Todd Road in southwest Santa Rosa has been out of commission since the last drought and barely used for several years before that.

But an infusion of cash — about $800,000 split by Sonoma Water and the county — plus months of labor and new equipment means the 808-foot deep well now meets state standards.

Crews brought the new well online late Wednesday to work out any last kinks and expect to run it continuously, Operations Coordinator Garett Walker said.

The well and associated equipment are in a pair of small, unassuming utility buildings on a rocked drive surrounded by wire fencing and oak-studded fields. The water agency also hopes to reactivate two other wells nearby.

Continue Reading on Petaluma Argus Courier 

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