As a region we are experiencing a second consecutive dry year, and rainfall and water storage are well below average for this time of year. Sonoma Water and its partners in the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership (SMSWP) encourage all of our 600,000 drinking water customers to continue to save water.
Our region just experienced the third driest water year (October 2019 - September 2020) on record over the last 127 years. We all need to make changes to our everyday habits to eliminate water waste and preserve water supply. Every drop saved helps maintain water flows in the Russian River and extend reservoir storage levels should the current dry period continue.
To help raise awareness of water supply conditions, Sonoma Water is unveiling a new water supply graphic (below) that provides a snapshot of the rainfall and water storage for our two main reservoirs, Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino.
The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership has launched a public outreach campaign to encourage water conservation in the North Bay. To support this message, we’ve adopted a regional tag line: "Drought Is Here. Save Water." Water is a resource that our community shares, and it is critical that we all protect and conserve this valuable resource.
These are a few of the water-wasting activities that are prohibited year-round in cities in Sonoma and Marin county:
For additional water saving tips and resources, please visit the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership website.
View drought Frequently Asked Questions.
Learn more about current water supply levels.
Supervisor Lynda Hopkins on June 3 held a Drought Town hall to discuss the drought and its impact on our community. Representatives from Sonoma Water, Sonoma County Environmental Health and Safety, State Water Resource Control Board, among others, provided detailed updates on the drought and how we can work together to save water and protect our environment.
View meeting presentations:
Watch a video of the meeting below:
Sonoma County to hold town hall on drought - Sonoma County Gazette - May 24, 2021
PD Editorial: The new normal — more dry years than wet years The Press Democrat - May 23, 2021
'Our Juvenile Fish are Dying in Real Time'; Yurok Tribal Chairman Describes Klamath River's Dire Outlook at Town Hall - Wild Rivers Outpost - May 21, 2021
Senator McGuire holds virtual drought town hall - Ukiah Daily Journal - May 21, 2021
Sonoma County, North Bay now considered to be in ‘exceptional drought’ - Press Democrat - May 20, 2021
How a long-dormant Laguna de Santa Rosa well could spare Petaluma dairies from drought - Argus Courier - May 20, 2021
Santa Rosa asks residents to cut water use by 20% Press Democrat - May 18, 2021
Marin County declares drought emergency Marin Independent Journal - May 18, 2021
Sonoma to cut Marin water imports this summer - Marin Independent Journal - May 17, 2021
Editorial: How a good slogan might make water conservation fun for Californians Argus Courier - May 13, 2021
Sonoma Water looks toward plans to reduce Russian River water usage by 20% The Healdsburg Tribune - May 12, 2021
In a time of drought, Ukiah has plenty of water Ukiah Daily Journal - May 11, 2021
Sonoma County creates $10 million project fund, authorizes new hires to bolster climate action The Press Democrat - May 11, 2021
Preparing for yet another dry year Sonoma Valley Sun - May 10, 2021
Healdsburg moves to second stage of water emergency plan - Healdsburg Tribune - May 10, 2021
Water rationing begins in Sonoma County as cities plot steps to confront drought The Press Democrat - May 8, 2021
Building heights and water woes at council meeting The Windsor Times - May 6, 2021
‘Worst drought’: Sonoma County residents in 1977 had tight water restrictions - Press Democrat - May 6, 2021
Utilities in Sonoma, Marin counties ask customers to reduce water use by 20 percent KTVU - May 6, 2021
Our overlapping droughts - Healdsburg Tribune - May 5, 2021
Eco-Friendly Garden Tour highlights inspiring gardens in Sonoma and Marin counties Press Democrat - May 5, 2021
Preparing for yet another dry year Sonoma Valley Sun - May 4, 2021
Sonoma-Marin Water Committee Calls On Residents To Reduce Water Use By 20% CBS SF Bay Area - May 4, 2021
Marin drought brings echoes of 1976-77 water crisis Marin Independent Journal - May 1, 2021
Wells may run dry this year in Mendocino town — district board likely to declare stage 4 water shortage in May (Water Security Series) The Mendocino Voice - April 29, 2021
Bay Area Water Districts Impose New Guidelines to Help Save Water Supply San Francisco Times - April 29, 2021
Drought declared in Sonoma County Sonoma County Gazette - April 28, 2021
Agencies call for voluntary water conservation as drought deepens KTVU - April 28, 2021
Sonoma County supervisors declare drought emergency Press Democrat - April 27, 2021
Historically Low Water at Lake Sonoma Points to Potentially Devastating Drought CBS SF Bay Area - April 25, 2021
The climate emergency comes home Sonoma Valley Sun - April 22, 2021
How to save water inside and outside your home Press Democrat - April 22, 2021
Newsom declares drought emergency in Sonoma and Mendocino counties; state preparing for water shortage KTLA 5 - April 21, 2021
Water conservation: Sonoma County leaders say it’s time to start preparing KRON 4 - April 21, 2021
Governor declares drought emergency in northwest counties Cal Matters - April 21, 2021
Marin County expected to enact mandatory water restrictions ABC7 News - April 20, 2021
Gavin Newsom declares a drought emergency – but it’s limited to two counties in California Sacramento Bee - April 21, 2021
Newsom declares drought emergency in Sonoma and Mendocino counties KRON 4 News - April 21, 2021
Seasonal dam on Russian River goes up early amid growing call for water conservation Press Democrat - April 15, 2021
Santa Rosa cuts back recycled water allocations to agriculture by two-thirds as drought looms North Bay Business Journal - April 14, 2021
Water rates heading back to council on Wednesday Cloverdale Reveille - April 11, 2021
Marin Municipal Water District Proposes Mandatory Conservation Marin Independent Journal - April 7, 2021
North Bay braces for water cuts with reservoirs at record lows after second dry winter The Press Democrat - April 2, 2021
Sonoma County dairies forced to reckon with drought conditions Petaluma Argus-Courier - April 1, 2021
Dreading another long drought Sonoma County Gazette - March 31, 2021
Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino water levels at record low for this time of year Press Democrat - March 31, 2021
Commentary: Save water as if your life depends on it Sonoma West - March 23, 2021
Sonoma And Marin County Water Conservation Campaign Launches KSRO - March 19, 2021
North Marin Water District approves Novato drought measures Marin Independent Journal - March 17, 2021
Another year of drought in Mendocino County Ukiah Daily Journal - March 17, 2021
Once Again, Lake Oroville and Other Reservoirs Are at Drought Emergency Levels SFist - March 17, 2021