Our Purpose: To ensure the water infrastructure projects protect and preserve natural resources, agriculture, and scenic character of Sonoma County

North Sonoma Agricultural Reuse Project - NSCARP-On Hold

NSCARP would contaminate current and future drinking water supplies.

Project proponent: Sonoma County Water Agency

Three of the most precious Sonoma County wine growing regions -- the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys -- would be turned into mega-leachfields for municipal wastewater -- if the NSCARP project is ever built. This controversial $350million+ plan for 17 reservoirs full of effluent, 111 miles of new pipelines, and 16 pumping stations -- makes no sense.

It threatens to contaminate drinking water; the wastewater is already committed to safer and greener purposes; and the so-called "recycling" project does not free up additional drinking water supplies.

THE WASTEWATER NEEDS MORE CLEANING TO BE SAFE ENOUGH FOR LOCAL SOIL CONDITIONS
Scientific studies show that the level of wastewater treatment is inadequate for application via irrigation over large parts of the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys, particularly on valley floors.

CONTAMINANTS WILL LEACH INTO WATER SUPPLIES
The many contaminants in municipal wastewater that are not removed by tertiary treatment will leach through the thin layers of coarse-grained, alluvial soil in the area, concentrate locally in groundwater, pass into wells and community drinking water supplies, and increase risks to public health, especially for infants.

IT'S A SHORT-SIGHTED IDEA - THREATENING BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF DRINKING WATER
Our groundwater aquifers are a critical supply of drinking water for Sonoma and Marin Counties. The Alexander Valley aquifer, for example, contains more than three times the volume of water than Lake Sonoma. Many groundwater sources in California have already been polluted by agriculture and wastewater disposal, and this project would compromise our regional supply with long-term build-ups of contaminants, including nitrate, heavy metals, organic compounds, pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors.

IT'S INTRUSIVE & DANGEROUS – PUTTING GOVERNMENT IN CONTROL
Government can require farmers to use wastewater if it is made available, and could control the timing and amount of wastewater use. Riparian and other water access rights may be eliminated. Mandated wastewater irrigation turns vineyards into leachfields risking contamination of nearby wells. Proposed regulations (AB885) require regular well testing and place the clean-up burden on the well owner.

WON'T HELP IN A DROUGHT -- NOT A "DEPENDABLE" SUPPLY
Wastewater recycling and reuse are helpful in a drought only when drinking water quality is protected. Additional treatment can address these risks and such alternatives must be considered. Sonoma County should look to other counties that are investing in advanced treatment facilities to enhance drinking water supplies.

Furthermore, SCWA cannot demonstrate that there will, in fact, be a regional surplus of watewater available for agriculture in dry years.

COSTLY, WASTEFUL & UNWANTED - PROJECT IS UNNECESSARY AND ILL-CONCEIVED
Other local agencies, including the City of Santa Rosa, are already implementing considerably better, safer, and cheaper projects to reclaim municipal wastewater.

A LIKELY P.R. NIGHTMARE FOR WINE AND TOURISM
Public perception of wastewater irrigation could seriously damage the premium Sonoma wine industry, on which all of our hospitality and tourism industries depend.