Oct. 1, 2026
Staff developed and submitted a corrective action plan, an inflow and infiltration study work plan, and a flood-susceptible manhole assessment work plan to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board on October 1st. The corrective action plan addresses operational procedures, infrastructure vulnerabilities, storm preparation, and treatment plant resilience. Additional components of these plans include evaluating inflow and infiltration, assessing manholes in flood-prone areas, updating procedures for isolation valves, and how manhole covers function during high-flow operations. Flow meters are installed at ten locations across the collection system and will collect data throughout the winter to help identify where inflow and infiltration are entering the system. This flow meter data will also help inform the manhole assessment due Feb. 1, 2027, and a final inflow and infiltration study due Oct. 1, 2027.
Sept. 1, 2026
The Russian River County Sanitation District submitted its flow monitoring plan by the Sept. 1 deadline as required under the enforcement settlement with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Staff are now developing a corrective action plan, an inflow and infiltration study work plan, and a flood-susceptible manhole assessment work plan, which are due Oct. 1.
The corrective action plan will address operational procedures, infrastructure vulnerabilities, storm preparation and treatment plant resilience. The work will include evaluating inflow and infiltration, assessing manholes in flood-prone areas and updating procedures for isolation valves, manhole covers and high-flow operations.
Following submission of the October plans, work will continue on a final manhole assessment due Feb. 1, 2027, and a final inflow and infiltration study due Oct. 1, 2027.
Aug. 25, 2026
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board announced an enforcement settlement with the Russian River County Sanitation District and Sonoma Water following the January 2026 wastewater spill.
The settlement requires a series of actions to reduce the risk of future spills, including installing temporary flow monitors to help identify where stormwater is entering the sewer system, assessing maintenance access points vulnerable to flooding, improving storm preparation and operating procedures, and completing a comprehensive study of sources of excess water entering the collection system.
Read the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board announcement.
August 13, 2026
Presentation: Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council (River MAC) August 13, 2026