Published on August 27, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 27, 2020

CONTACT: Barry Dugan, Principal Programs Specialist: 707-547-1930, 707-331-2040, barry.dugan@scwa.ca.gov

Santa Rosa, CA – Sonoma Water announced today (8/27/20) that the Emergency Water Conservation Request that was issued at the start of the Walbridge and Meyers fires has been rescinded. Citing the progress made by firefighters on containing the Walbridge Fire, agency officials determined that critical water supply facilities are no longer in immediate danger.

“We are pleased to announce that the call for emergency water conservation is no longer necessary,” said Sonoma Water Board and Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin. “We applaud the efforts our resident made in saving millions of gallons of water during this emergency. But we also want to remind our water customers that there is never enough water to waste. We had one of the driest years ever last winter and we must continue to use every drop wisely.”

The request for emergency water conservation was issued as a precaution due to the location of Sonoma Water’s water production facilities along the Russian River being located within the fire evacuation zone. While the facilities were never in immediate danger, the conservation request allowed the agency to maximize its water storage for its customers, and to ensure adequate capacity for firefighting, should it be needed.

At no time during the fires was there any problem with water quality or water deliveries. Due to the emergency water conservation efforts, water demands dropped by millions of gallons each day.

While the fire emergency is over, the community is encouraged to continue water conservation efforts. The last year was one of the driest rain years on record, and water conservation is critical now and into the future.

For tips on how to save water both inside and outside of your home, please visit: www.savingwaterpartnership.org

Information about Sonoma Water’s fire response is available at www.sonomawater.org/fire