Russian River County Sanitation District Spill

FAQ

See a compiled list of questions and answers in this FAQ.

Updates

Jan. 26, 2026

Dry weather has allowed storm-event flows in the high-flow/emergency holding basins to be gradually returned to the plant for treatment.

As the activated sludge process continues to recover, plant throughput can continue to increase.

With biological activity returning to healthy levels, activated sludge wasting has increased, enabling removal of inorganic silts introduced during the storm.

A full return to normal operations is expected within the next week.

Jan. 12, 2026 - 3 p.m.

Based on water quality testing, Sonoma County's Environmental Health Division has lifted health advisories at the remaining coastal beaches (Goat Rock, Stillwater, Black Point and Gualala) and river beaches (Johnson’s, Monte Rio and Patterson Point).

Jan. 9, 2026 - 3 p.m.

Initial estimate of the volume of the spill is 5,507,000 gallons.

Advisories to stay out of the water have been lifted at Doran, Campbell Cove and Salmon Creek beaches. Water quality test results can be found on the Sonoma County Environmental Health webpages for fresh water and ocean water. 

Jan. 8, 2026 - 9 a.m.

The treatment plant stopped actively spilling at 6:50 a.m. this morning as river levels continue to recede. Staff are actively working to fully recover from the impacts of the event. The public should continue to heed posted signs along the river and at the coast to stay away from the water as water quality sampling is underway .

Untreated wastewater contains bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause illness. Contact with untreated wastewater poses a health risk, particularly for children, pets, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The public is advised to avoid all contact with the Russian River until further notice.

If community members have questions they can contact Ryan Pedrotti ryan.pedrotti@scwa.ca.gov or 707-328-0890.

Jan. 7, 2026 - 5 p.m.

The spill is still active.

If you have questions about drinking water safety, contact your drinking water provider. If you are on a well and the well has been in contact with flood water, follow guidance for well decontamination. https://sonomacounty.gov/health-and-human-services/health-services/divisions/public-health/environmental-health/programs-and-services/well-water-quality/well-disinfection-for-bacterial-contamination

Environmental Health specialists have begun collecting samples for water quality testing.

If you come into contact with river water downstream of the spill, best practices should be followed, such as showering, washing affected clothing and washing hands.

Jan. 7, 2026 - 10:30 a.m.

The spill is still active. As river levels start to recede, we should start to see improved conditions at the plant.

Jan. 6, 2026 - 7 p.m. 

The following beaches have signage directing visitors to avoid the water. 

Russian River beaches

  • Patterson Point
  • Monte Rio
  • Johnson’s  (this beach is under water)

Coastal Beaches

  • Doran Beach to Russian Gulch
Jan. 6, 2026 - 2:30 p.m. - Guerneville, CA — Sonoma Water is responding to a spill of untreated wastewater at the Russian River Treatment Plant after heavy overnight rainfall from an atmospheric river overwhelmed the facility and caused it to reach capacity early Tuesday.
The plant was receiving flows at a rate of approximately four million gallons per day and no additional storage capacity was available. A portion of the discharge is traveling roughly one-quarter of a mile through a forested area before reaching the mainstem of the Russian River. River levels were elevated on Tuesday morning, with flows exceeding 30,000 cubic feet per second at the Hacienda Bridge.
Affected community members were notified by an alert messaging system this morning. Sonoma Water staff have made required notifications to regulatory agencies and environmental specialists were dispatched to the site to assess conditions and potential impacts.
Community members are advised to stay away from the Russian River, which remains under storm conditions. Members of the public should follow posted signage and avoid contact with the water.
Russian River County Sanitation District ask users to reduce wastewater use to help limit ongoing impacts.

View Press Release

Location of Spill

18400 Neeley Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446

About the Russian River County Sanitation District

  • Began Operation: 1983
  • Service area: 2,700 acres
  • Service recipients: 3,214  Equivalent Single-Family Dwelling
  • Treatment level: Tertiary
  • Design capacity: 710,000 gallons per day (average daily dry weather flow)
  • Discharge: Between October 1 and May 14 recycled water is discharged into the Russian River. Between May 15 and September 30 the recycled water is used for irrigation on forested land adjacent to the treatment plant and on the Northwood Golf Course.
  • Board of Directors:  Sonoma Water's Board of Directors act as the District's Board.

For more information visit, https://www.sonomawater.org/RRCSD

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