1. Find and approve the Physical Security Plan prepared by NV5 as compliant with the obligations of CPUC D.19-01-018.
2. Direct staff to file the physical security plan as required by D.19-01-018.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 15th day of June 2026, by the following vote:
SO ORDERED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ J. Chris Herrod, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk
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CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2026
SUBJECT: 2025 Urban Water Management Plan
PREPARED BY: Patrick Fuss, Utility Engineering Manager
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE(S):
Provide Effective Governance
Maintain and Enhance Public Health and Safety
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Adopt a Resolution adopting the City of Healdsburg’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and Water Shortage Contingency Plan and authorize staff to submit the UMWP and Water Shortage Contingency Plan to the State.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/OUTREACH:
The City conducted a survey on particular topics of the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) from April 15, 2026, to April 30, 2026. The survey asked respondents to rank water supply and demand reduction options, water loss reduction actions, support for required water waste prohibitions, nonfunctional turf irrigation and potential impacts on trees, and changing the Stage 1 water shortage restrictions to be mandatory. The survey also allowed the respondents to comment on what they are concerned about with regard to potential water shortages.
The draft 2025 UWMP was posted on the City’s website on April 15, 2026. Staff presented the draft 2025 UWMP at a public workshop on May 6, 2026, and received comments and questions.
Staff presented the draft UWMP at the June 1, 2026, public hearing conducted at the City Council meeting. This public hearing has been noticed in the Healdsburg Tribune on May 14, 2026, and May 21, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
The Urban Water Management Planning Act (Act) was established by the California state legislature in 1983 to address changing conditions related to water sources, water availability, water demands, and water reliability over a 20-year period. The Act also requires water suppliers to update their Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every five years based upon guidelines provided by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). In 1991, the State added the requirement to include a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) to outline the water supplier’s response Item 6.j
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and plan for changes or shortages in water supplies. If urban water suppliers do not complete an UWMP, they may not be able to access State grants, loans, and drought assistance.
To create an improved representation of the City’s water supply under drought conditions, staff worked over the past few months to incorporate the experiences of the most recent drought and water supply restrictions within this updated version of the draft UWMP.
The DWR provides a guidebook to complete the 2025 UWMP. This guide outlines the requirements to complete the analysis of the City’s available water supply, forecasted water demand, and analysis of certain contingencies for water shortage to be consistent with the requirements of the Act. The guidebook defines the necessary data, tables, and scenarios that need to be studied with the development of the UWMP.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The primary function of the UWMP is to define and forecast the City’s available sources of water, forecast demand, and study both supply and demand under normal conditions, a single-year drought conditions, and multiple-year drought conditions. Reviewing these three scenarios (normal, single-dry, multiple-dry) helps inform the City when making decisions regarding available water supply and develop a water shortage contingency plan as appropriate for the conditions.
The 2025 UWMP plan provides an analysis of the City’s available water supply relative to forecasted demand for water through 2045. The forecasted water demand (water consumption) assumes a population growth set at approximately three percent per year for years 2025 through 2030. This is consistent with the forecasted population used for the Climate Mobilization Strategy and consistent with the State-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment. Between 2030 and 2045, steady growth is projected at approximately one percent every five years.
The Healdsburg Climate Mobilization Strategy (CMS) projections used in the UWMP are higher than the actual estimation by the Department of Finance. Using the Healdsburg CMS population projections provides a conservative approach for water supply planning in the UWMP.
While historical population growth for Healdsburg and water usage trend lower than a one-percent increase per year, these assumptions provide a higher-than-expected forecast for future water demands and a conservative approach to planning the City’s water supply needs.
Historical Population and Water Usage in Healdsburg
Year Water Usage,
million gallons Population Gallons per Capita per Day
2011 647 11,449 155
2012 705 11,456 169
2013 712 11,540 169
2014 594 11,648 140
2015 535 11,705 125
2016 542 11,806 126
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2017 610 11,795 142
2018 621 12,076 141
2019 640 11,845 148
2020 661 11,614 156
2021 463 11,800 107
2022 463 11,030 115
2023 506 10,914 127
2024 559 10,980 139
2025 543 10,972 136
* Population numbers do not include the Fitch Mountain Water District (CSA-41) but do include CSA-41 usage.
Over time the City’s water demand per capita has been decreasing, and 2021 and 2022 reflect years of profound drought. The decrease in water usage per capita over time is largely attributable to the implementation of water efficiency building codes (Title 24 and the Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance) and the community’s embrace of water conservation. A long-term commitment to water conservation and efficient water use will continue to build security in the City’s water supply.
While a three-percent growth in the first five years of the planning horizon is expected to be higher than actual growth levels, it is helpful to study higher growth levels should Healdsburg experience periods of rapid growth in population and water usage. As the 2025 UWMP demonstrates, under normal conditions, the City would still have adequate water to meet this higher demand. The UWMP’s three-percent population growth in the first five years provides a conservative upper limit when forecasting the City’s long-term water needs. The growth projections are also deemed conservative when compared against known development projects and projected development under the City’s Housing Element and General Plan (i.e., RHNA, GMO, and estimated ADUs).
Forecasted Data 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Water Demand
(million gallons) 543 598 604 610 615
Available Water Supply
(million gallons) 1,251 1,251 1,251 1,409** 1,409**
Population* 10,972 12,746 12,882 13,018 13,127
* Population numbers do not include the Fitch Mountain Water District (CSA-41) but do include CSA-41 usage.
**includes 158 MG from ground water sources anticipated with the aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells project.
In addition to studying water supply and demands under normal conditions, the UWMP also studies water supplies under two specific drought conditions. The first, and more extreme condition is termed the single-dry year. Under this condition the plan reviews existing and forecasted demand against water supplies available during extreme drought conditions. For the Item 6.j
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2025 UWMP, the single-dry year is based on 2021 (lowest rainfall in 100 years) and assumes that the City will lose access to all existing water rights and only be able to divert water under the public health and safety exemption. In 2021, the public health and safety exemption was 112 gallons per capita per day. This is an extreme situation but helps to illustrate the level of conservation required.
Single Dry Year 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Forecasted Water Demand
(million gallons) 543 598 604 610 615
Single-Dry Water Supply
(million gallons) 493 566 571 577 581
Conservation Need*
(million gallons) 50 32 33 33 34
Conservation Need* (percent
of normal demand) annualized 9 5 5 5 6
Maximum Conservation Need*
(percent of normal demand)
Maximum month
33 35 36 37 38
*On an annualized basis, it appears a modest amount of conservation is necessary. The 2025 UWMP does take into account the water demand variability by month that is experienced in Healdsburg because of outdoor irrigation in warmer months and a lack of storage. Taking these into account, the anticipated mid-summer conservation requirement is approximately 33 to 38 percent of normal usage.
For the multiple dry year conditions, a period with the lowest five consecutive years of rainfall is studied. Unlike prior UWMPs, the City will need to also anticipate the impacts of changes at the Potter Valley Project (PVP) in this analysis. Historically, the PVP (a PG&E power generation facility that diverts water from the Eel River system to the Russian River system) contributed flow to the Russian River. In 2025, PG&E applied to the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) to surrender its license to operate the Potter Valley Project. The conditions of surrendering the license to operate the PVP include decommissioning the power generation facility, and removal of two dams. As a consequence, the Russian River system would receive less flow than it had previously, particularly during dry periods.
The period with lowest five consecutive years were Water Year (WY) 2010/2011 to WY 2014/2015. In this period, the City and surrounding areas, received approximately 39 percent of the normal rainfall. Since the reservoirs are directly filled by rainfall, this can equate to 39 percent of the storage available. In these conditions, staff believes that on the Russian River system, the most senior water right at the Fitch well field will be available for a flow of two million gallons per day (mgd); and junior water rights at Gauntlett well field and Fitch Mountain will be curtailed.
Staff believes that the Dry Creek water right will not be curtailed because the Lake Sonoma Reservoir feeding into Dry Creek has storage capacity for multiple years. Lake Mendocino, on the other hand, has capacity for approximately one year of demand.
The curtailed water rights at 2.6 mgd from the Gauntlett water right and 0.9 mgd from Fitch Mountain water right, respectively, constitute approximately 64 percent of the water rights from the Russian River sources. Staff assume that the Dry Creek water right at 0.65 mgd will be Item 6.j
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available during the summer. The purchased water from Sonoma Water is also assumed to be available to the extent this water can be diverted from the Dry Creek diversion point of the Fitch water right is curtailed during this period. The total diversion available during this time is approximately 2.6 mgd during the summer and 2 mgd during the winter.
On an annualized basis, the water demand and supply forecast during five consecutive dry years is presented in the following table.
Multiple-Dry Year 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Forecasted Water Demand
(million gallons) 543 598 604 610 615
Multiple-Dry Water Supply
(million gallons) 845 845 845 845 845
Conservation Need*
(million gallons) 13 27 62 82 104
Conservation Need* (percent
of normal demand) annualized 2 5 10 13 17
Maximum Conservation Need*
(percent of normal demand)
Maximum month
12 20 27 28 30
*On an annualized basis, it appears a modest amount of conservation is necessary. The 2025 UWMP does take into account the water demand variability by month that is experienced in Healdsburg because of outdoor irrigation in warmer months and a lack of storage. Taking these into account, the anticipated mid-summer conservation requirement is approximately 12 to 30 percent of normal usage.
Overall, the 2025 UWMP plan indicates that, under normal conditions the City’s water supply is sufficient to meet forecasted demands and that under drought conditions there is a need for conservation.
The plan does include the ability to increase the City’s water supply through the construction of groundwater wells. The City has developed a project called aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells that will allow water to be stored in an underground aquifer when water is plentiful and withdraw it when water is scarce to enhance supply. Even with the proposed ASR wells, conservation will still be required during dry years as the City is seeking funding to complete the ASR Wells Project.
Other water supply improvements that staff have identified include:
• Increasing the water right at Dry Creek and making this a year-round water source. The current Dry Creek water right is 0.65 mgd from April through October. The proposed water right at Dry Creek would be 1.0 mgd from April through October and 1.7 mgd from November through March.
• Increasing the capacity of the Dry Creek well field. The current equipment can divert a bit less than 1.0 mgd from this location. These improvements will allow the City to have the mechanical capacity to divert approximately 2.3 mgd from the Dry Creek location. • Increase purchased water from Sonoma Water. Staff are negotiating increasing the volume of water purchased from Sonoma Water from 425 acre-feet (approximately 138 million Item 6.j
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gallons) to 900 acre-feet (approximately 293 million gallons) to be withdrawn from any diversion point when the City’s water rights are not available. This additional volume will aid the City in when Russian River supplies are low.
Staff have also identified a demand reduction project in the extension of the Municipal Recycled Water Pipeline. The extension is expected to serve recycled water to the junior high and high schools, an elementary school, and the Abel De Luna Community Center. This demand reduction project is anticipated to annually offset approximately eight million gallons of potable water with recycled water.
While these water supply increase and water demand reduction projects may help to reduce the need for conservation during dry years, there remains a need for conservation during periods of drought. The City should continue water conservation efforts to gain long-term use reductions within existing buildings and landscapes. Doing so will ease negative impacts created during future dry-years and the impacts of required mandatory conservation. Additionally, the City must comply with new State water regulations, such as Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life and Assembly Bill 1572 which prohibits the use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities.
The 2025 UWMP must also include a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). Water shortage contingency planning is a strategic process to prepare for and respond to water shortage, which may be due to drought or other emergencies (e.g., earthquake, toxic spill, etc.). The WSCP provides pre-planned guidance for managing a water shortage, which includes aspects such as reliability analysis, annual water supply and demand assessment, standard water shortage levels, shortage response actions, communication protocols, and more.
The six standard water shortage levels are designed to achieve progressively higher levels of conservation through the use of various water use restrictions as well as establishment of water budgets in the higher stages. Included in the UWMP and WSCP are two primary recommended updates:
1) Adding a new Stage 0 to acknowledge certain year-round all-the-time water waste prohibitions, and
2) Changing Stage 1 from voluntary to mandatory, if declared.
Adding a new Stage 0 will acknowledge the State’s nonfunctional turf regulation and address other substantial water waste activities, such as large leaks and excessive irrigation runoff.
Implementing certain year-round water waste prohibitions and a new Stage 0 in the WSCP will better prepare the community to be more resilient to drought and water emergencies and help mitigate the need for declaring higher stages of the WSCP. Additionally, changing Stage 1 to mandatory would be more equitable and clearly communicate that everyone is expected to follow the restrictions if conservation is deemed necessary due to a water supply shortage. If changed to mandatory, staff recommend certain updates focusing Stage 1 on impactful water waste activities.
These recommendations will require an update to the City’s current ordinance for mandatory water conservation measures (HMC 13.12.220), implementation of these amendments is a separate staff Item 6.j
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report item. A summary of the shortage levels, the primary recommended changes, and other minor changes is provided in Section 8 of the UWMP.
During the survey and the public workshop, community members voiced concern regarding how the changes in water diversions to the Russian River and how climate change affect the City’s water supply. Others commented on how the City should allocate future water use within Healdsburg. Diversions from the Eel River to the Russian River are expected to cease with the decommissioning of the PVP. However, rainfall catchment in the watershed of the Russian River and Lake Mendocino are anticipated to be adequate for normal to wet years. While historical annual rainfall averages have not increased or decreased significantly, it is noticeable that fluctuations in rainfall from year-to-year are greater (more pronounced change from wet and dry years) than past years. These fluctuations within the Russian River watershed create a need for multi-year water storage especially amongst those reliant on the upper Russian River. The 2025 UWMP indicates that aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells are expected to help stabilize the City’s water supply between wet and dry years. The development of ASR wells and adding capability to withdraw water from the Dry Creek diversion point under the City’s own or purchased water rights, coupled with continued water conservation efforts will lessen, but not eliminate, the need for mandatory conservation during dry years.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
The 2025 UWMP helps ensure the City is using a finite source of water efficiently. In turn, the City’s efficient use of water helps to maintain instream flows for fish and riparian habitat in both the Upper Russian River and Dry Creek.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council could elect to not adopt the 2025 Urban Water Management Plant and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Should city Council make such a decision, staff will need direction from city council on how to proceed. Staff does not recommend this alternative.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Submission of the 2025 UWMP allows the City of Healdsburg access to State-level grant programs that could fund infrastructure and conservation measures. Due to funding limitations within the Water Department budget, staff is seeking grant funding to support aquifer storage and recovery wells, municipal recycled water pipeline extension, and conservation measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act and Title 14, the California Code of Regulations (“CEQA Guidelines”), Section 15378(b)(2), continued administrative actions do not qualify as a “Project”. Therefore, no further CEQA or environmental review is required.
ATTACHMENT(S):
2025 Urban Water Management Plan Update, City of Healdsburg, Public Works Department, June 15, 2026
Resolution
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CITY OF HEALDSBURG
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HEALDSBURG ADOPTING THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG’S
2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND WATER
SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN
WHEREAS, California’s Urban Water Management Planning Act requires urban water suppliers with more than 3,000 customers to prepare and submit an Urban Water Management Plan (“UWMP”) every five years; and
WHEREAS, the general purpose of the UWMP is to demonstrate that the urban water supplier has adequate water supplies to meet future water demands; and WHEREAS, a survey with the public was conducted from April 15 to April 30, 2026, a public workshop was held on May 6, 2026, and a public hearing was held on June 1, 2026, to gain public input on forecasted water demands and water supplies; and WHEREAS, the 2025 UWMP includes discussion of increasing water supplies through aquifer storage and recovery and the need for continued water conservation and demand management measures; and
WHEREAS, under section 15378(b)(2) of the California Environmental Quality Act, continued administrative actions do not qualify as a “Project”. Therefore, no further CEQA or environmental review is required.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Healdsburg hereby adopts the City of Healdsburg’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan, directs staff to file the plan with the Department of Water Resources, and authorizes staff to address non-substantive comments from the Department of Water Resources.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED, this 15th day of June 2026, by the following vote:
SO ORDERED: ATTEST:
__________________________________________ __________________________________________ J. Chris Herrod, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk
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2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
UPDATE
City of Healdsburg
Public Works Department
June 15, 2026
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3 Table of Contents
1. Plan Development and Adoption ........................................................................................................ 8
1.1 Executive Summary.................................................................................................................. 8
2. Chapter 2 Plan Preparation ................................................................................................................ 9
2.1 Plan Preparation....................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Basis for Preparing a Plan........................................................................................................ 9
2.3 Regional Planning................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Individual or Regional Planning and Compliance................................................................... 10
2.5 Fiscal or Calendar Year and Units of Measure ...................................................................... 10
2.6 Coordination and Outreach .................................................................................................... 11
3. System Description........................................................................................................................... 12
3.1 General Description................................................................................................................ 12
3.2 Service Area Boundaries........................................................................................................ 13
3.3 Service Area Climate.............................................................................................................. 14
3.4 Service Area Population and Demographics.......................................................................... 17
3.5 Social, Economic, and Demographic factors.......................................................................... 18
3.6 Land Uses within Service Area............................................................................................... 18
4. Water Use Characterization.............................................................................................................. 22
4.1 Non-Potable versus Potable Water Use................................................................................. 22
4.2 Past, Current, and Projected Water Use by Sector................................................................22
4.3 Water Use for Lower Income Households.............................................................................. 30
4.4 Climate Change...................................................................................................................... 31
5. SB X7-7 Baselines, Targets, and 2020 Compliance ........................................................................ 31
5.1 Present and Proposed Activities to Achieve Water Use Targets ...........................................32
5.2 2020 Water Use Target .......................................................................................................... 32
5.3 Targets Summary ................................................................................................................... 32
6. Water Supply Characterization ......................................................................................................... 32
6.1 Water Supply Analysis Overview............................................................................................ 33
6.2 Water Supply Characterization............................................................................................... 33
6.3 Energy Use ............................................................................................................................. 49
7. Water Supply Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment .................................................................. 55
7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 55
7.2 Water Service Reliability Assessment.................................................................................... 55
7.3 Drought Risk Assessment ...................................................................................................... 65 Item 6.j
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4 8. Water Shortage Contingency Planning............................................................................................. 67
8.1 Water Supply Reliability Analysis ............................................................................................... 67
8.2 Annual Water Supply Demand Assessment Procedures ...........................................................68
8.3 Six Standard Water Shortage Levels.......................................................................................... 70
8.4 Shortage Response Actions ....................................................................................................... 70
8.5 Communication Protocols........................................................................................................... 78
8.6 Compliance and Enforcement .................................................................................................... 78
8.7 Legal Authorities ......................................................................................................................... 79
8.8 Financial Consequences of a WSCP.......................................................................................... 80
8.9 Monitoring and Reporting ........................................................................................................... 81
8.10 WSCP Refinement Procedures ................................................................................................ 81
8.11 Special Water Feature Distinction ............................................................................................ 81
8.12 Plan Adoption, Submittal, Availability, and Amendment Procedures .......................................81
9. Demand Management Measures ..................................................................................................... 82
9.1 Demand Management Measures for Retail Agencies............................................................82
9.2 Demand Management Measures for Wholesale Suppliers....................................................87
10. Plan Adoption, Submittal, and Implementation................................................................................. 88
10.1 Inclusion of All 2025 Data....................................................................................................... 88
10.2 Notice of Public Hearing ......................................................................................................... 88
10.3 Public Hearing and Adoption.................................................................................................. 88 Table Index
Table 2-1. Public Water Systems
Table 2-2. Plan Identification
Table 2-3. Supplier Identification
Table 2-4a Retail. Water Supplier Information Exchange
Table 2-4b Wholesale. Water Supplier Information Exchange Table 3-1. Monthly Climatic Averages
Table 3-2a Retail. Population - Current and Projected
Table 3-2b Wholesale. Population - Current and Projected Table 4-1. Historical Water Use by Sector from 2020 – 2025, MG Table 4-2. Five Years of Water Loss Audit Reporting
Table 4-3a Retail. Demands for Potable – 2025 Actual
Table 4-3b Wholesale. Demands for Potable - 2025 Actual Table 4-4a Retail. Use for Potable Water and Non-Potable - Projected Table 4-4b Wholesale. Use for Potable Water and Non-Potable - Projected Table 4-5a Retail. Total Water Use (Potable and Non-Potable) Table 4-5b Wholesale. Total Water Use (Potable and Non-Potable) Item 6.j
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5 Table 4-6. Inclusion of Future Water Savings in Water Use Projections Table 4-7. Characteristic 5-year Water Use for Potable Water and Non-Potable - Projected Table 5-1. Retail: SB X7-7 Target Progress
Table 6-1. Groundwater Volume Pumped
Table 6-2. Existing Water Rights and Diversion Limits
Table 6-3. Pending Water Rights and Diversion Limits
Table 6-4. Wastewater Collection within Service Area in 2025 Table 6-5a Retail: Wasterwater Treatment and Discharge within Service Area in 2025 Table 6-5b Wastewater Treatment and Discharge within Service Area in 2025 Table 6-6a Retail: Current and Projected Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses within Service Area Table 6-6b Wholesale: Current and Projected Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses within Service Area Table 6-7a Retail: 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projections Compared to 2025 Actual Table 6-7b Wholesale. 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projections Compared to 2025 Actual Table 6-8. Methods to Expand Future Recycled Water Use
Table 6-9a Retail. Expected Future Water Supply Projects Table 6-9b Wholesale. Expected Future Water Supply Projects Table 6-10a Retail. Water Supplies – Actual
Table 6-11a Retail. Water Supplies – Projected
Table 6-11b Wholesale. Water Supplies – Projected
Table 6-12 - Water Supply Energy Intensity for 2025
Table 6-13 - Wastewater and Recycled Water Supply Energy Intensity for 2025 Table 7-1a Retail. Basis of Water Year Data
Table 7-1b Wholesale. Basis of Water Year Data
Table 7-2a Retail: Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison Table 7-2b Wholesale: Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison Table 7-3a Retail: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison Table 7-3b Wholesale: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison Table 7-4a Retail: Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison Table 7-4b Wholesale:Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison Table 7-5. Five-Year Drought Risk Assessment
Table 8-1. Cross-reference for Standard vs. Supplier Shortage Table 8-2. Supply Augmentation and Other Actions
Table 8-3. Demand Reduction Actions
Table 8-4. Emergency Action Summary
Table 9-1. Water Conservation Rebate Results 2021-2025
Table 10-1. Notification to Cities and Counties
Figure Index
Figure 3-1. Healdsburg City and Service Territory Boundaries Figure 3-2. Healdsburg Water Service Area and Pressure Zones Figure 3-3. Water Distribution System
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6 Figure 6-1. Groundwater Basins
Figure 6-2. Recycled Water Distribution System
Appendices
Appendix A - 2021 Water Loss Audit Form
Appendix B - 2022 Water Loss Audit Form
Appendix C - 2023 Water Loss Audit Form
Appendix D - 2024 Water Loss Audit Form
Appendix E - 2025 Water Loss Audit Form
Appendix F – SB X7-7 Verification Form
Appendix G – CAL-Adapt Temperature Forecasts
Appendix H -- CAL-Adapt Dry Spell Forecasts
Appendix I -- CAL-Adapt Precipitation Forecasts
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7 Acronym List
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
Act Urban Water Management Planning Act
AF Acre-foot or acre-feet
AFY Acre-feet per year
BMP Best Management Practice
BiOp Biological Opinion
CDPH California Department of Health
CII Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional
Corps United States Army Corps of Engineers
CSA County Service Area
CUWCC California Urban Water Conservation Council
CWC California Water Code
DDW State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water DMM Demand Management Measure
DWR California Department of Water Resources
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EOP Emergency Operations Plan
ETo Evapo-transpiration
GPCD Gallons per capita per day
IPR Indirect Potable Reuse
ITP Independent Technical Panel
MCL Maximum Contaminant Level
MPA Microscopic Particulate Analysis
NAICS North American Industry Classification System
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
SB X7-7 Water Conservation Act of 2009
SCWA Sonoma Water formerly Sonoma County Water Agency
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
TPW County of Sonoma’s Department of Transportation and Public Works UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
WSCP Water Shortage Contingency Plan
WSEP Water Shortage Emergency Plan
WWTP Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Disposal Facility Item 6.j
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8 1. Plan Development and Adoption
1.1 Executive Summary
The City of Healdsburg is located in Sonoma County roughly 70 miles north of San Francisco. The City’s water distribution system serves a population of approximately 10,972 through 4,766 water meters; of which 626 are commercial/industrial/institutional accounts and 4,140 serve residential water customers., including two for Fitch Mountain. The City provides potable water to roughly 350 connections within the Fitch Mountain Water District (County Service Area 41). The provisioning of water to the Fitch Mountain Water District is allowed through a wholesale water contract with the County of Sonoma.
To provide potable water to Healdsburg and the Fitch Mountain Water District, the City’s Public Works Department relies on surface water from both the Russian River and Dry Creek. This diversion of water is authorized through four water-rights: three on the Russian River and one on Dry Creek. The City also contracts with Sonoma Water (formerly Sonoma County Water Agency) for a backup supply of water should the City’s water rights become unavailable.
Because the City relies on both the Russian River and Dry Creek for its potable water supply, the City’s water supply reliability is closely tied to storage conditions in Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. In years of normal, and even slightly below average rainfall, storage within these reservoirs is adequate to maintain water supply year-round. In years of extremely low rainfall, reservoir storage may be depleted, requiring communities and agricultural users within the Russian River watershed to implement conserve measures.
Recent changes to the Potter Valley Project, which diverts water from the Eel River system to the Russian River system, will likely change the water supply to Lake Mendocino, which flows to the Russian River. As a result, the natural water flow, from which the City’s water rights are based, might be reduced in normal years and significantly diminished during dry years. During these times of limited natural water flow in the Russian River, the City anticipates relying on stored water releases through a water purchase agreement with Sonoma Water. This purchased water may be diverted from the City’s existing Russian River diversion points or from the existing diversion point on Dry Creek.
As detailed within the 2025 UWMP, the City has sufficient water rights to meet current and projected water demand normal hydrologic conditions over the next 20 years. During dry years, when the City’s water supplies are constrained by low flows within the Russian River and Dry Creek, this plan demonstrates a need for mandatory conservation measures. Under a worst-case condition (single dry year scenario) the level of mandatory conservation needed could reach 50% of 2025 summer water use.
Future water demand projections for the 2025 UWMP are based on historical population and historical water use. Population growth assumptions use the California Department of Finance Estimates (-E1 released May 2025) for 2025 population. Populations for 2030-2045 are based on the projections used for the City of Healdsburg Climate Mobilization Strategy (CMS). These projections anticipate approximately 16% growth from 2025 to 2030 and then 1% growth, respectively for 2030-2035, 2035-2040, and 2040- 2045. Water usage is based on 134 gallons per capita per day (gpcpd) based on the 2025 water demand forecast (the actual consumption in 2025 was approximately 132 gpcpd).
To effect meaningful water conservation programs, the City’s water department funds a portion of one fulltime employee to administer water conservation programs. The City is also a member of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership (Partnership). The Partnership represents 12 water utilities in Sonoma and Marin counties who have partnered to provide regional solutions for water use efficiency. In addition to the Partnerships recommendations and implementation of efficient water measures, the City of Healdsburg provides City-administered and funded water conservation programs to assist customers in gaining longterm reductions in water use. Through rebates, education and outreach, Healdsburg has been able to reduce water use by incentivizing lawn conversions, clothes washers, and toilet replacements while also Item 6.j
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9 providing free low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. These efforts collectively reduce the City’s overall water usage.
The City of Healdsburg encourages active community participation in its urban water management planning efforts. To allow for community engagement the City conducted a public survey from April 15 to April 30, 2026 and held a public workshop on May 6, 2026. The survey had 320 responses, including 275 responses to the survey in English and 45 responses to the survey in Spanish. The public workshop had approximately 15-20 attendees, and provided dinner, childcare, and real-time Spanish interpretation. A public hearing was held on June 1, 2026 at a City Council meeting. The community outreach helped to gather feedback which was incorporated into the final document. Final approval of the 2025 UWMP is planned for June 15, 2026, during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
2. Chapter 2 Plan Preparation
This chapter describes the preparation of the City’s 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan including efforts in coordination and outreach.
2.1 Plan Preparation
This chapter includes the following sections for guidance on preparing an UWMP: basis for preparing a plan, regional planning, individual or regional planning, compliance fiscal or calendar year and units of measure and coordination and outreach activities.
2.2 Basis for Preparing a Plan
The Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) Act, as codified in California Water Code (CWC) Sections 10610 through 10656, requires urban water suppliers with 3,000 or more service connections or supplying 3,000 or more acre-feet of water per year to prepare an UWMP. The City operates Public Water System (PWS) CA4910005, which is regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water. In 2025, the City had4,766 connections within its service territory and, therefore, meets the threshold for this State requirement.1
The City’s is also defined as a wholesaler since it supplies drinking water to the County of Sonoma’s County Service Area (CSA) 41 which serves the Fitch Mountain area. The City supplies water to CSA 41 under a long-standing wholesale arrangement between the City and County that includes the historic water rights associated with that service area. This UWMP, as a planning document, is not intended to modify any existing agreements, rate provisions, or service obligations between the City and County.
2.2.1 Public Water Systems
Public water systems are the distribution systems that provide drinking water for human consumption. All public water systems are given a unique Public Water System Identification Number (PWSID) and are regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Division of Drinking Water.
As defined by the CWC, a public water system is a system that provides water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances: that has 15 or more service connections; or regularly serves at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. Table 2-1 summarizes the City of Healdsburg’s public water system information for the year 2025. 1 Source: Healdsburg’s Utility Billing Department
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10 Table 2-1 Retail: Public Water Systems
Submittal Table 2-1 Retail Only: Public Water Systems
Public Water
System Number
Public Water
System Name
Number of
Municipal
Connections 2025
Volume of
Water Supplied
2025 *
4910005 City of Healdsburg 4,766 529
TOTAL 4,766 529
2.3 Regional Planning
The City regularly meets with Sonoma Water staff to discuss and coordinate regional efforts. In addition, the City has joined the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership to develop and implement water conservation programs throughout the North Bay.
The City also collaborates with Sonoma County’s Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA), the eight incorporated jurisdictions of Sonoma County, as well as the County of Sonoma itself, to create and implement a Climate Mobilization Strategy (see Section 3.3 for more information about this plan to mitigate climate change).
The City is a member of the Russian River Watershed Association (RRWA); a coalition of ten cities, counties and special districts in the Russian River watershed that coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, watershed enhancement, and conservation.
2.4 Individual or Regional Planning and Compliance
The Urban Water Management Plan Act allows for the preparation of UWMPs by a group of water suppliers or as an individual water supplier. As illustrated in Table 2-2 below, the City is an individual water supplier and developed this UWMP as an individual UWMP addressing all requirements of the CWC.
Table 2-2. Plan Identification
Type of Plan: Individual UWMP
2.5 Fiscal or Calendar Year and Units of Measure
2.5.1 Fiscal or Calendar Year
This UWMP reports data on a calendar year basis starting on January 1 and ending December 31.
As required for UMWPs for the year 2025, the City has included water use and planning data for the entire calendar year of 2025.
2.5.2 Reporting Complete 2025 Data
This UWMP reports data on a calendar year basis unless otherwise noted. Section 5 discusses baselines and targets in terms of gallons per capita per day (gpcd), compliant with SB X7-7.
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11 2.5.3 Unit of Measure
Water quantities are measured in million gallons (MG), unless otherwise noted. Section 5 discusses baselines and targets in terms of gallons per capita per day (GCPD), compliant with SB X7-7.
Table 2-3. Supplier Identification
Supplier is a wholesaler
Supplier is a retailer
Fiscal or Calendar Year
UWMP Tables are in calendar years
Units of measure used in UWMP
Unit Million Gallons (MG)
2.6 Coordination and Outreach
The City meets regularly with Sonoma Water, the County of Sonoma, Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW), and other water rights holders along the northern Russian River, including vineyard owners. Table 2-4 identifies the various agencies and entities that the City is coordinating with during the UWMP preparation process, and/or on an ongoing basis in relation to water supply planning.
Table 2-4a Retail: Water Supplier Information Exchange
The retail Supplier has informed the following wholesale supplier(s) of projected water use in accordance with Water Code Section 10631.
Sonoma Water1
1 City has a water purchase agreement with Sonoma Water (formerly Sonoma County Water Agency).
Table 2-4b Wholesale: Water Supplier Information Exchange Supplier has informed 10 or fewer other water suppliers of water supplies available in accordance with Water Code Section 10631.
Water Supplier Name: Russian River Utility (CSA 41)
2.6.2 Coordination with Other Agencies and the Community While the City of Healdsburg primarily relies on its own water rights, Healdsburg maintains a backup water supply agreement with Sonoma Water. Sonoma Water manages in-river flows and reservoir storage levels in coordination with state and federal agencies. The City coordinates with and provides Sonoma Water with water demand updates.
Urban water suppliers are required by the Act to encourage active involvement of the community during the preparation of its UWMP. The City held an informational workshop on May 6, 2026 to provide the public with an update on the preliminary results of the 2025 UWMP and encouraged Item 6.j
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12 public input. The online survey implemented leading up to the workshop had 320 responses, including 275 responses to the survey in English and 45 responses to the survey in Spanish. The public workshop had approximately 15-20 attendees, and provided dinner, childcare, and real-time Spanish interpretation. The City also conducted a public hearing on the 2025 UWMP at the June 1, 2026, City Council meeting.
The City will publish public notices in the Healdsburg Tribune on May 14, 2026, and May 21, 2026, notifying the public of the City’s intent to update its UWMP and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
The City held the formal public hearing at the City Council Chambers on June 1, 2026, More information about the public hearing and the adoption of the 2025 UWMP is presented in Section 10 of this UWMP.
2.6.3 Notice to City and Counties
The City notified Sonoma Water and the County of Sonoma that the City of Healdsburg’s UWMP was being reviewed and updated. Letters were sent on April 20, 2026.
3. System Description
This section describes the physical characteristics of the City’s water service area, the current and projected population for the service area, climate, and the social, economic, and demographic factors affecting the City’s water management planning.
3.1 General Description
The City of Healdsburg is in the County of Sonoma, approximately 12 miles north of the City of Santa Rosa, within the nine-county San Francisco Bay Region. The location of Healdsburg in California is shown in Figure 3-1
The City of Healdsburg is in an inland valley between Highway 101 and the Russian River. The Russian River flows southward to the east of the City and crosses through the southern portion of the City in a westerly direction. The City’s water service area is roughly equivalent to the City Limit. Figure 3-1 shows the City Limit, sphere of influence, and water distribution areas, which include CSA 41 to which the City is a wholesale water supplier.
The Healdsburg City Council is the governing body of the City. The Council consists of five council members that serve four-year terms and appoint a Mayor once per year. The Council sets policy and adopts a budget for the City biennially.
The City has developed and adopted several area planning documents, including:
• Healdsburg 2030 General Plan
• City of Healdsburg Water System Master Plan
• North Entry Area Plan
• Central Healdsburg Avenue Plan
• Saggio Hills Area Plan
These documents provide information to the public and decision-makers regarding the City’s goals, policies, and implementation programs including sphere of influence and land use, development opportunities and constraints, and planned and recommended infrastructure improvements.
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13 Historically, the City’s economy was supported by agriculture and logging. In more recent years, the City has experienced an increase in urban development and a diversification of the local economy with tourism as a dominant element of the economy.
The City’s drinking water system includes thirteen water production wells, associated water treatment systems and equipment at each of three well fields, a water treatment plant, a single raw water reservoir, seven treated water storage reservoirs, five booster pump stations, and eight pressure reducing stations.
Water treatment at the three production locations (in addition to ultra-filtration at the water treatment plant at the Gauntlett well field and cartridge filtration at the Dry Creek well field) consists of: disinfection with onsite generated sodium hypochlorite (chlorine), fluoridation for dental benefit, and the addition of blended liquid poly and ortho-phosphates for corrosion control.
There are two major multi-purpose reservoirs in the Russian River watershed. Lake Sonoma on Dry Creek, approximately 15 miles northwesterly of Healdsburg, and Lake Mendocino on the Russian River, approximately 45 miles northerly of Healdsburg, and 3.5 miles northerly of Ukiah, in Mendocino County.
The City holds four water right permits issued by the California State Department of Water Resources for the diversion of municipal drinking water. Three permits are located on the Russian River, and one is located on Dry Creek. Four production wells on the Russian River (Gauntlett Well Field) can be used year-round, as they produce water that is ultra-filtered at the City’s Water Treatment Plant. Six production wells (four in service) on the Russian River (Fitch Well Field) are seasonal and are restricted to operation May through October. The Dry Creek well field, consisting of five wells, is permitted for use from April 1 through November 1.. In a 2006 Decision of the State Water Resources Control Board, the City’s Dry Creek well field was added to the Russian River well fields, as a point of diversion under the Sonoma County Water Agency’s permits.
The City has an Agreement with Sonoma Water, formerly Sonoma County Water Agency, dated November 17, 1992, that allows the City’s water diversions to be reported under this agency’s water rights permits for the Russian River and Dry Creek, but only if the City is unable to divert water under its own water rights permits or if water diversion exceeds maximum diversion rates. An amended agreement with the agency was made in December 2025 extending the permit until December 31, 2026, and allows a maximum diversion of up to 9 cubic feet per second (cfs) at any one time and up to 425 ac-ft (138 MG) per year from any of the City’s well fields.
The City continues to invest in infrastructure improvements to enhance system reliability and resilience.
Recent and planned improvements include upgraded size and construction of Sunset Reservoir, a new roof on Gauntlett Reservoir, and various well field rehabilitation projects. The City is conducting a feasibility study of a water treatment facility at the Fitch well field, as well as the planned disinfection and treatment improvements at Dry Creek, which will further improve system reliability. The City has conducted a feasibility investigation into aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells at three sites in the City. Design and construction of the ASR wells is pending funding.
3.2 Service Area Boundaries
The City of Healdsburg serves as the water provider within the municipality’s water service area. The service area is approximately four-square miles and serves primarily residential and commercial customers.
The City’s service area elevation ranges from approximately 97 feet above mean sea level at its low point to the south and rises to approximately 390 feet above mean sea level at the northeast portion of the service area.
The potable water distribution system contains nine pressure zones (Tayman, Panorama, Sunset, Cadoul, Montage, Latimer, Hidden Acres, Iverson, Passalacqua) that are each served by one or more of the six Item 6.j
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14 storage reservoirs (Iverson, Panorama, Tayman (2), Cadoul, Sunset) named for the zone they serve, and the Dry Creek clear well. Other zones are served by pressure regulating valves (Latimer, Hidden Acres) or a booster pump station (Montage). Figure 3-2 is a map of the City’s service area showing the pressure zones in various colors, including the Fitch Mountain Service area (CSA41) to which the City is a wholesaler.
The principal water mains in the distribution system range in size from 4 to 16 inches in diameter. Most of the distribution piping in the older areas of the City range in size from 1-1/2 to 4 inches, while the newer areas are served by pipes 6 to 16 inches in diameter.
The City has a municipal recycled water system within the water service area, and an agricultural recycled water distribution system outside of the water service area. The agricultural recycled water recycled water pipe extends south from the WRF to multiple vineyard properties, extending approximately 18,300 feet south of the WRF. Another segment of the agricultural recycled water transmission main extends north from the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) following the West Slough and terminating at a recycled water dispenser on Kinley Drive, southwest of Highway 101.At this point, the municipal recycled water transmission main continuing south to its crossing of Hwy 101, and continuing through the City to serve parks, schools, a cemetery and a golf course.
Figure 3-3 shows a general layout of the potable water distribution system, along with the major physical components such as wells, pump stations, reservoirs, and water sampling locations. Figure 6-2 shows the approximate layout of the recycled water distribution system, along with locations of major components of turnouts/connection points. The recycled water distribution system can serve over 900 acres of irrigated land.
3.3 Service Area Climate
The City is located within the Russian River watershed and has a Mediterranean climate characterized by wet winters and dry summers. Typically, less than 5 percent of the annual rainfall falls during the five months of May through September.
Average annual maximum temperature are 73.5 F, and the average minimum temperature is 43.5 degrees.
The average annual rainfall for the Ukiah-Healdsburg region is 36.9 inches based on 1910 to 2020 data, as shown in Table 3-1.
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15 Table 3-1: Monthly Climatic Averages – Ukiah, CA
Month
Average
Rainfall1
1911-2025 (in)
Average
Rainfall
2001-2020
(in)
Average
Rainfall
2011-2020 (in)
Average Rainfall
2021-2025 (in)
Average Temp1 (deg F)
Max Min
Jan 6.6 7.1 7.3 5.6 56.5 35.5
Feb 5.5 6.7 5.9 4.8 60.6 37.7
Mar 4.65 5.8 7.3 4.5 64.6 39.0
Apr 1.85 3.3 3.2 1.2 70.1 41.2
May 0.85 1.4 1.6 0.6 76.8 45.4
Jun 0.25 0.5 0.6 0.1 84.3 50.3
Jul 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 92.7 53.5
Aug 0.05 0.0 0.0 0.0 92.1 52.3
Sep 0.55 0.3 0.5 0.7 87.0 49.0
Oct 1.95 2.5 2.1 1.9 77.0 44.0
Nov 4.45 4.6 4.6 4.4 64.2 39
Dec 7.9 9.4 7.7 8.6 56.5 35.8
Total 34.6 41.8 40.8 32.2 2 73.5 43.5 1Source: CIMIS data for Ukiah station 049122 (period 1/1/1910 to 12/31/2025) 2 2021 was a profound drought year
3.3.1. Climate Change
The City of Healdsburg recognizes climate change is affecting weather patterns and water supply reliability, and the importance of accounting for these changes when analyzing our future water security. Where possible, historical data has been updated in this UWMP to ensure forecasts are based on more recent conditions which show the impact of climate change. The effects of climate change on water demands, supplies and reliability are detailed below and included in Chapter 4 (Water Use Characterization), Chapter 6 (Water Supply Characterization), and Chapter 7 (Reliability and Drought Risk Assessment).
Vulnerabilities to the City’s drinking water system due to climate change include:
Water supply. While the City has relatively secure water rights allowing diversions that are able to meet the needs of the peak season demands, higher temperatures and decreased precipitation in the area can result in changes to water availability. The City has seen curtailments of critical water diversions in recent years and is planning for future curtailments by improving and adding treatment infrastructure, investigating transferability of water right allowances, and educating the public about conservation programs.
Water availability, particularly from Russian River sources, are vulnerable to reductions due to changes upstream of Lake Mendocino. For a little over 100 years, water from the Eel River system has been diverted through the Potter Valley Project to the Russian River system to generate power through PG&E’s Potter Valley Project. Over the years, flow through the Potter Valley Project has been reduced to alleviate environmental concerns. PG&E successfully applied to cease operation of the Potter Valley Project in 2025 and surrendered its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) power generation license. The abandonment of the Potter Valley Project will include the removal of the Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam, and decommissioning of the power generation facility. The work on the removal of dams and power generation facilities may start as soon as Item 6.j
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16 2028. These changes will reduce flows to the Russian River system, increasing the importance of alternative water supplies such as purchased water, stored water, and groundwater.
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of storm events, resulting in more variable runoff conditions and higher peak flows during wet periods. These conditions can affect diversion infrastructure along the Russian River and Dry Creek. While regional reservoirs provide flood attenuation, extreme events may still result in operational disruptions or temporary reductions in water availability. City water supply infrastructure, including wells located adjacent to surface water sources, is designed to accommodate fluctuating river stages. Production and treatment facilities are sited and constructed to remain operational during flood conditions to the extent practicable.
Wildfire risk continues to pose a threat to water supply in the region. Varying climate anomalies, such as invasive pests and tinder dry forests, create conditions for catastrophic wildfires. The City’s drinking water infrastructure does have vulnerable components associated with production, treatment, and storage. Electrical supply, communication equipment, and process control instrumentation can all be disabled when directly impacted by wildfire. The City owns both portable and stationary emergency diesel generators specifically for use at water production sites.
Replacement instruments and radio equipment are kept on-hand for immediate change-out, and many facilities and water storage tanks are constructed of non-flammable materials.
Water source demand sensitivity. The City’s water sources are the Russian River and Dry Creek, flowing from Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. These two water supply reservoirs rely exclusively on rain and diversions from the Eel River through the Potter Valley Project, to recharge available storage. Other forms of precipitation such as snow do not impact the region’s watershed.
Drought conditions are expected to become more frequent and severe. Reduced precipitation and higher temperatures will result in less stored water in reservoirs and reduced carryovers from previous years. Between the City and these water sources lie several other water supply demands including other municipal water suppliers and several types of irrigated crops. Climate patterns, such as higher temperatures and low humidity, can affect these agricultural and landscape watering patterns both upstream of and within the City’s drinking water sphere of influence. While the City has no control of impacts by upstream water diversions, local measures can be taken such as the use of drought resistant landscaping and enforcing mandatory conservation requirements as dictated by the severity of water supply shortages.
Water source quality sensitivity. As the County progressed through the dry 2020/2021 winter season followed by the dry spring of 2021, both local water supply reservoirs were at historically low levels in the summer months. Reduced reservoir inflows can affect water quality conditions.
Typical issues related to low reservoir levels include decreased dissolved oxygen concentrations and increased algae growth. Pollutant concentrations from stream inflows may increase as incoming volume decreases, yet the pollutant loading increases or remains constant. The City’s drinking water wells are characterized as groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI). As such, water quality in relation to climate extremes, including fire scar runoff and flooding, can be relatively stable as the riverbank near the wells provides a degree of filtration for the affected water prior to being drawn into the wells and treated to drinking water standards. This filtration, as well as a cooling effect of the sub-terrain, provides a reliable degree of protection from potentially increased warming and/or pollutant loading at the supply reservoirs.
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17 Climate Change Mitigation
The City is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a climate change mitigation strategy. In October 2023, the City of Healdsburg adopted a Climate Mobilization Strategy (CMS) in support of State and Regional GHG reduction goals. The CMS identifies key measures and actions that will be most impactful in reducing GHG emissions, are equitable, feasible, and community driven.
In addition, the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA, previously RCPA) developed Climate Ready Sonoma County: Climate Hazards and Vulnerabilities to assess local climate risks. The assessment identifies expected future conditions across multiple climate scenarios, including increased temperatures, longer and more frequent droughts, more intense wildfire conditions, and increased variability in precipitation and flooding. Similar regional assessments, including Climate Ready North Bay, also identify additional stressors such as reduced soil moisture, more variable runoff patterns, increased importance of groundwater recharge protection, and higher agricultural water demand.
3.4 Service Area Population and Demographics
California Department of Finance E-1 population estimates released May 2025 were used for the baseline 2025 City of Healdsburg population. According to the E-1 estimates, the 2025 City of Healdsburg population is 10,972.
The City worked with a consulting firm to develop population projections out to 2045 for the Healdsburg CMS. The CMS used forecasted demographic data for Healdsburg based on the RCPA (now SCTCA) Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2020. For the CMS, population was adjusted from RCPA CAP projections to account for Healdsburg 2023-2031 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) by multiplying the adjusted households by the average persons-per-household. Population estimates every five years from 2025 through 2045 are presented in Table 3-2 below.
RHNA is part of a State mandate that all local governments adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. The State determines how much housing at a variety of affordability levels is needed for each region in the state. Healdsburg’s RHNA allocation for 2023-2031 is 476 units. More information is available in the Healdsburg Housing Element.
The population projections differ from those outlined in previous UWMPs and are based on anticipated developments and achievement of RHNA requirements. It should be noted that the Healdsburg CMS projection for 2025 was 12,025, which is higher than the actual estimation by the Department of Finance in 2025. Using the Healdsburg CMS population projections provides a conservative approach for water supply planning in the UWMP.
Table 3-2a Retail: Population - Current and Projected
Population
Served
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
10,972 12,746 12,882 13,018 13,127
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18 Table 3-2b Wholesale: Population - Current and Projected Population
Served1
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
1,092 1,092 1,092 1,092 1,092
1: Based on 2020 UWMP, which was based on RRU data on number of connections. The Fitch Mountain community is limited in geography, and significant growth is not anticipated.
3.5 Social, Economic, and Demographic Factors
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 23% of Healdsburg’s population is 65 years of age and over and 60% of housing units are owner-occupied. Additionally, 36% of the population is Hispanic or Latino and 31% of homes speak a language other than English at home.
Healdsburg electric and water utilities provide a low-income bill discount to income-qualified residents. The electric I eligibility threshold is 80% or below the Area Median Income, and approximately 11% of households receive the discount.
According to the California Department of Finance E-5 population estimates, Healdsburg has 4,042 singlefamily housing units and 1,143 multi-family units, including duplexes and mobile homes. The City’s overall vacancy rate is approximately11%. Future housing growth in Healdsburg is expected to be predominantly multi-family, consistent with RHNA and local land use policies.
3.6 Land Uses within Service Area
Current land use within the existing service area consists mainly of urban residential with limited commercial, industrial, and mixed use, as well as some rural residential, public, and quasi-public areas.
Conserved open spaces protect the City’s eastern backdrop from development and The Sonoma County General Plan’s Open Space Element continues to help maintain avoidance of typical corridor-style urbanization by promoting scenic and undeveloped community separator lands.
Projected land use include the planned developments within the Healdsburg 2030 General Plan, as listed in Section 3.1, as well as other projects meeting zoning and ordinance requirements. Projected land use is predicted to remain consistent with that of the existing service areas, while incorporation of water conservation planning and practices within the scope of these developments will continue to improve.
Goals, Policies, and Implementation Measures within the 2030 General Plan lay out the studies and planning required for establishing boundaries on future urban service and growth areas, neighborhood and downtown preservation, and appropriate land use in transit areas and on river frontage property.
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19 Figure 3-1 Healdsburg City and Service Territory Boundaries Item 6.j
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20 Figure 3-2 Healdsburg Water Service Area and Pressure Zones Item 6.j
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21 Figure 3-3 Water Distribution System
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22 4. Water Use Characterization
This section of the UWMP presents the City’s water system use by user type for the past, current, and projected water demands in five-year increments between 2025 and 2045.
4.1 Non-Potable versus Potable Water Use
To distinguish recycled water use from potable water use, detailed discussion is provided in Chapter 6, but a summary of recycled water use is included in Table 4-5.
4.2 Past, Current, and Projected Water Use by Sector
The California Water Code (CWC) requires reporting of past and projected demand in terms of predetermined water use sectors. Sectors applicable to the City are outlined in Section 4.2.1, along with a description obtained from the 2025 UWMP Guidebook. The definitions listed in Table 4-1 are used by DWR for each of the water sectors listed in the CWC that apply to the City of Healdsburg. The order of the sectors follows the order found in the CWC.
4.2.1 Water Use Sectors Listed in Water Code
The City’s potable water system serves these sectors:
• Residential: Residential single family is single-family detached dwellings (houses) that have no shared property and are built on their own parcel of land. Residential multi-family is a single service connection that accommodates more than one family living separately such as through a duplex, apartment, condominium, or townhouse. This includes mobile home/trailer parks that are served collectively through a master service meter. The City’s billing data does not distinguish between these subcategories for demand reporting purposes; however; estimates based on individual account analysis are provided. This is a retail demand. • Commercial: A water user that provides or distributes a product or service. This is a retail demand. • Industrial: A water user that is primarily a manufacturer or processor of materials as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), or an entity that is a water user primarily engaged in research and development. This was a retail demand tracked separately until fiscal year 2024-25 but has been consolidated into the commercial category. • Industrial, Winery: A primary industry of Healdsburg are wineries. The City previously tracked water use by wineries separate from other industries. This is a retail demand which has been consolidated into the commercial category.
• Institutional and Governmental: A water user dedicated to public service. This type of user includes, among other users, higher education institutions, schools, courts, churches, hospitals, government facilities, and non-profit research institutions. This is a retail demand consolidated into the commercial category.
• Landscape: Water connections supplying water solely for landscape irrigation. Such landscapes may be associated with multi-family, HOA, commercial, industrial, or institutional/governmental sites, but are considered a separate water use sector if the connection is solely for landscape irrigation.
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23 • Sales to other agencies: Water sales made to another agency, including CSA 41. • Distribution System Water Loss: Generally, the difference between water produced and water delivered. See description in Section 4-4 below.
4.2.2 Water Use Sectors in Addition to Those List in Water Code Since the mid-1990s, the City has sold water to the County of Sonoma Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) under the County’s operation of the Fitch Mountain County Service Area (CSA #41), which is a small water system located outside of the City’s limits. The TPW currently does not own water supply facilities and is solely dependent upon the City to supply municipal water for CSA 41.
4.2.3 Past Water Use
While not part of the DWR UWMP Reporting Tables, the Water Code requires Retail Suppliers to quantify past water use. Past water use helps a Supplier understand water use trends; effects of temporary use restrictions imposed during the most recent prolonged drought, and recovery from such temporary restrictions; effects of long-term demand management measures; and other pertinent water use factors.
Table 4-1: Historical Water Use by Sector from 2020 to 2025,(million gallons) Sector 2020 2021 2022 20231 2024(3) 2025
Residential 445.2 286.2 276.1 299.0 331.5 313.2
Commercial 88.6 97.2 98.3 104.8 113.25 120.6
Industrial 2.6 3.9 3.3 3.1 1.6 -Included in
Commercial
Industrial
Winery
12.19 11 11.4 10.2 4.6 —Included
in
Commercial
Institutional
and
Governmental
6.4 6.2 6.9 5.4 7.5 8.5
Landscape 73.7 36.9 46.8 55.1 68.6 54.75
Sales to Other
Agencies
Included in
Residential
Included in
Residential
Included in
Residential
Included in
Residential
Included in
Residential
Included in
Residential
Total Water
Usage
628.7 441.5 442.8 477.6 527.0 497.1
Water
Produced
661.5 462.6 463.2 506.0 559.8 544.04
Water Loss2 32.8 21.1 20.4 28.4 32.8 46.9 1 2021, 2022, 2023 were drought years. 2 Water loss in this table differs from water loss audit values in that the water loss audit includes allowance for unbilled unmetered uses, thus reporting a lower water loss value Item 6.j
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24 3 In FY 2024/25, Industrial and Industrial Winery classes were tracked with Commercial. Values for 2024 are not complete for Industrial or Commercial classes.
4.2.4 Distribution System Water Loss
Distribution system water losses (also known as real losses) are the physical water losses from the water distribution system and from the water storage facilities up to the point of customer consumption. For this UWMP, total losses are included as a demand sector and are calculated as the difference between all water supplied and all water delivered or metered. Total losses include both actual water loss and apparent water loss. Actual water loss is due to system leaks while apparent are due to unmetered authorized uses, such as hydrant flushing, inaccurate water use measurement due to faulty meters, and firefighting.
Table 4-2 presents the total potable water loss for calendar years 2021 through 2025, as calculated by subtracting the total potable water sold to customers from the total potable water supplied by the potable water delivery system. Reportable water loss audit volumes include an allowance for unbilled unmetered usage and reports a lower net water loss than the difference of water produced less water used. Water loss values of less than 10 percent are generally considered acceptable by industry standards. Water loss audit reports for 2021 through 2025 are included as Table 4-2 and can be found the appendices. The rate of increase of water loss is anticipated to be consistent with water use increases.
Table 4-2: Last Five Years of Water Loss Audit Reporting, (million gallons) Reporting Period Start Date Volume of Water Loss 1
01/2021 34.7
01/2012 20.2
01/2023 29.0
01/2024 29.4
01/2025 42.6 1 Taken from the field "Water Losses" (a combination of apparent losses and real losses) from the AWWA worksheet.
4.2.5 Current Water Use
This section and the following section discuss water use for the various sectors listed in Table 4-1.
The following information could be helpful when reviewing the water use by sector in Tables 4-1:
institutional facilities include City facilities, schools, and churches; landscape includes separatelymetered usage from both residential and non-residential properties; sales to other agency represents water sold to the County of Sonoma for the Fitch Mountain service area. While commercial hydrants require a manual adjustment, the flow from the hydrants is accounted as part of the commercial sector.
Customer water use for the year 2025, presented in Table 4-3a, was obtained from actual billing data provided by the City’s Finance Department. Actual water deliveries in 2025 were 543 MG.
Compared with the 2020 UWMP forecast for 2025 684 MG, actual total water deliveries in 2025 were approximately 21 percent lower. Actual water deliveries in 2025 were lower than projected in the 2020 UWMP because of the slower than anticipated population growth and dramatic water conservation achieved in response to drought conditions of 2021 which people responded to with changing fixtures to water-saving fixtures as well as changing water use behavior and landscaping.
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25 Passive conservation measures (low flow fixtures, less-water gardens, etc.) that continue to keep water usage low even after drought conditions subside are now in place.
Water use in the City’s service area is predominantly residential use. In 2025, residential customers received 56 percent of the total potable water deliveries. The second largest use is commercial customers (including industrial, institutional and government uses that were reported separately previously), who received 23 percent. The remaining end uses include: separately metered landscape irrigation 9 percent; water loss 8 percent; sales to other agencies 3 percent; and other, such as system flushing, 1 percent.. Tayman Park Golf Course and Badger Park are the only customers that receive raw (untreated) water, which is used for irrigation purposes only, separate from the water utility. As a tourism destination, hotels are also a common water topic. It is estimated that hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast inns consumed approximately 5 percent of total potable water demand in 2025. Additionally, it is estimated that wineries consumed approximately 2 percent of total potable water demand in 2025. Table 4-3 Retail details actual water served in 2025 by sector, including sales and losses. Table 4-3 Wholesale details actual water sold to the County of Sonoma’s CSA 41 (Fitch Mountain).
Table 4-3a Retail: Demands for Potable (million gallons) – 2025 Actual (DWR Table 4-1 Retail)
Use Type 2025 Actual
Additional Description Level of Treatment
When Delivered Volume2
Single Family Drinking Water 247
Multi-Family Drinking Water 58
Commercial (3) Drinking Water 125
Industrial Included in Commercial Drinking Water --
Industrial Winery, Included in
Commercial Drinking Water --
Institutional/Governmental Churches, Schools, Municipal, Included in Commercial Drinking Water --
Landscape Drinking Water 53
Other Potable Hydrant meters Drinking Water 4
Losses Drinking Water 43
Landscape Recycled irrigation for parks,
cemetery, golf course Non-potable 31
Other Non-Potable Residential and commercial
use of recycled water kiosks Non-potable 2
Subtotal Potable 529
Subtotal Non-Potable 31
TOTAL 560
1 This data was gathered from FY 2024-2025 and FY2025-2026 Utility Statistics Reports from the City’s Finance Department and aligns with the 2025 Annual Inventory Report submitted to DWR.
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26 Table 4-3b Wholesale: Demands for Potable, (million gallons) – 2025 Actual (DWR Table 4-1 Wholesale)
Use Type 2025 Actual
Additional Description
Level of
Treatment When
Delivered
Volume
Sales to other agencies CSA 41 Drinking Water 15
TOTAL 15
4.2.6 Projected Water Use
Future demand is projected based on actual water use in 2025, and assumed population growths rates discussed in Chapter 2 of 16% over the first 5-years and 1% per 5-year period after that.
Water use projections are proportional to increases in population; water use by class is apportioned to the 2025 proportions. Water usage rate is based on 134 gallons per capita per day, which is the 2025 usage rate.
It should be noted that this level of projected growth outpaces the historic norm of less than 1% per year for Healdsburg. The 2025 population estimate is based on CA Department of Finance Estimates-E1 released May 2025. The 2030-2045 population projections are based on the projections used for the City of Healdsburg Climate Mobilization Strategy (CMS). .
The Healdsburg 2030 General Plan EIR has generalized estimates of land areas to be developed into commercial or industrial uses. Without specific business use information, it is difficult to determine specific water use estimates. Therefore, it was assumed that water consumption for increased commercial, industrial, and institutional sector growth would follow population growth rates. Actual future population and water consumption may differ from these projections.
4.2.6.1 20-Year Planning Horizon
In accordance with Water Code Section 10635(a), all Suppliers will need to report their projected water use, in five-year increments through 2045. Suppliers are encouraged to project through 2050 to bridge the data gap between plan cycle years. The City of Healdsburg water use projections in five-year increments through 2045 is presented in Table 4-4. It summarizes the potable water demand projections for the water use sectors discussed above from 2025 through the year 2045, including projected distribution system water losses.
Table 4-5 presents the water demand projections for the City of Healdsburg through 2045 based on the projected growth (approximately 16% per year of residential growth for the first 5 years followed by 1% per 5-year increment for the remaining years; for all non-residential sectors are estimated to follow these trends. Table 4-5 also presents this data and the water demands for 1% growth throughout the planning horizon for all sectors, which is closer to the historical norm.
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27 Table 4-4a Retail: Use for Potable Water and Non-Potable (million gallons) – Projected (DWR Table 4-2 Retail)
Use Type
Additional Description
Projected Water Use
2030 2035 2040 2045
Single Family1 291 294 297 299
Multi-Family 68 69 70 70
Commercial 147 149 151 152
Industrial Included in Commercial -- -- -- --
Industrial Winery, Included in Commercial -- -- -- --
Institutional/Governmental Churches, Schools, Municipal, Included in Commercial
-- -- -- --
Landscape 62 63 63 64
Losses 35 35 35 35
Other Potable Hydrant meters 5 5 5 5
TOTAL 608 614 620 625
1Residential growth is based on 3% per year for the first 5 years then 1% per 5-year period thereafter. Applied to all use sectors.
Table 4-4b Wholesale: Use for Potable Water and Non-Potable (million gallons – Projected
(DWR Table 4-2 Wholesale)
Use Type Additional
Description
Projected Water Use
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Sales to other agencies CSA 411 15 25 25 25 25
TOTAL 15 25 25 25 25
1No growth is forecasted for the CSA service territory due to the limited of developed terrain and challenges with onsite wastewater treatment. 2025 usage was approximately 38 gallons per capita per day. Usage forecasting assumes approximately 62 gallons per capita per day for consistency with Healdsburg residential users.
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28 Table 4-5a Retail: Total Water Use (Potable and Non-Potable), (million gallons) 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Potable Water, Raw, Other
Non-potable 528 608 614 620 625
Recycled Water Demand 31 41 41 41 41
Optional Deduction of
Recycled Water Put Into
Long-Term Storage
TOTAL WATER USE 559 649 655 661 666
Table 4-5b Wholesale: Total Water Use (Potable and Non-Potable), (million gallons) (DWR Table 4-3 Wholesale)
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Potable and Raw Water 15 25 25 25 25
Recycled Water Demand 2 3 3 3 3
TOTAL WATER DEMAND 17 28 28 28 28
4.2.6.2 Water Year Types
For the water service reliability assessment in Chapter 7, normal water is characterized in order to estimate water supply reliability and drought risk in the event of a single dry year. The City of Healdsburg normal water use projections in five-year increments through 2045 are presented in Table 4-4.
4.2.6.3 Codes and Other Considerations Used in Projections Water savings from codes, standards, ordinances, or transportation and land use plans are known as “passive savings”. These various factors decrease the water use for new and future customers, compared to historical customers.
The City has greatly increased its efforts to reduce water loss and increase water conservation through addressing water system leaks, performing meter calibration and replacement, as well as developing and implementing a robust water conservation program.
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29 Through the robust water conservation program implemented during the drought of 2013 to 2018, passive demand measures are in place and still in use. The City’s future water demand projections set forth in Table 4-4 assume no future water savings from demand management measures.
Water agencies are required to state the extent to which passive water savings are considered in these water use projections. The information meeting this requirement is included in Table 4-6.
Table 4-6: Inclusion of Future Water Savings in Water Use Projections (DWR Table 4-5)
Are Future Water Savings Included in Projections? No1
Are Lower Income Residential Demands Included in Projections? Yes 1 Healdsburg will be pursuing water conservation measures that are not included in these forecasts. This provides a conservative water supply versus demand forecast.
4.2.7 Characteristic Five-Year Use
Every urban water supplier shall include, as part of its urban water management plan, a drought risk assessment for its water service to its customers as part of information considered in developing the demand management measures, water supply projects and programs to be included in the urban water management plan. The urban water supplier may conduct interim updates to this drought risk assessment within the five-year cycle . The drought risk assessment shall include each of the following.
• A comparison of the total water supply sources available to the water supplier with the total projected water use for the drought period.
• Considerations of the historical drought hydrology, plausible changes on projected supplies and demands under climate change conditions, anticipated regulatory changes, and other locally applicable criteria.
The water uses projected for 2026 through 2030 should reflect anticipated use prior to expected benefits of WSCP responses. As noted above, these water usage values may still include water conservation actions already in place, planned actions, anticipated code changes, and other known or planned actions that would occur, regardless of whether there is a drought in effect. Table 4-7 presents the annual water use projections for 2026 through 2030. Growth reflects approximately 3% per year across all sectors.
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30 Table 4-7: Characteristic 5-year Water Use for Potable Water and Non-Potable (million gallons) – Projected
Use Type1 Additional
Description
2025
Water
Use
Projected Water Use
2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Single Family 247 256 264 273 282 291
Multi-Family 58 60 62 64 66 68
Commercial
Includes
industrial,
institutional
and
government
125 129 133 138 142 147
Landscape 53 69 70 70 71 62
Sales/Transfer
s/ Exchanges
to other
agencies2
CSA 41 15 25 25 25 25 25
Losses 43 33 34 34 34 35
Recycled
Water3
Retail and
Wholesale 33 41 41 41 41 41
Total 574 613 629 645 661 669
1 Residential growth is based on approx. 16% for the first 5-year period then 1% per 5-year year period thereafter. All other use sectors generally follow this growth
2 Sales/transfers to Other Agencies based on CAS 41 2020 flow values. No growth is anticipated for this sector. 3 Table 4-5 summarizes the total projected potable, and recycled water demands from 2025 through the year 2030 in Healdsburg; wholesale recycled water is not included in this Table 4-7.. Discussion of recycled water can be found in Chapter 6.
4.3 Water Use for Lower Income Households
A lower-income household has an income below 80% of area median income (AMI), adjusted for family size. In Sonoma County, a family of four whose household income is $120,900 or less would qualify as a lower-income household.
City of Healdsburg offers an electric bill discount for households at or below 80% AMI. Healdsburg also offers a water bill discount for households at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. In 2025, 576 households participated in the electric bill discount and 122 households participated in the water bill discount. The electric bill discount has a higher number of households that participate due to the higher income qualification and because it is available to both single family and multi-family households. The water discount is primarily available to single family households, as most multi-family households are serviced by a whole-building or whole-property meter and the water account is held by property management. Approximately 11% of residential households participated in the electric Item 6.j
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31 bill discount in 2025, as noted in section 3.5 Social, Economic, and Demographic factors. In 2025, the average annual water consumption for households receiving the water bill discount was 0.05 MG.
Because these lower-income water demand estimates are a subset of the total residential water use for the City, they are already included in the previous water demand estimates and projections. As noted in section 3.4 Service Area Population and Demographics, achieving the Regional Housing Needs Assessment target of 476 new affordable households between 2023-2031 has been included in the population estimates.
4.4 4.4 Climate Change
As discussed in Section 3.3.1, impacts of climate change must be considered in the preparation of longterm planning documents. Due to climate change and more severe weather patterns, we can expect adverse and variable impacts to our water supply and demand.
Key impacts include:
• Water Demand: Hotter days and nights will result in a longer irrigation season and therefore increase landscaping and irrigation water needs.
• Water Supply: More frequent and exacerbated weather events such as longer drought periods and higher temperatures can impact water supply and supply reliability. • Natural Disaster: Wildfires are predicted to increase in intensity and frequency, droughts may become longer and more severe, and floods are expected more frequently. All of these have impacts on water supply, demand and operations.
Appendix G through I shows climate modelling forecasts for precipitation, temperature, and dry spells in Healdsburg. The models detail historical data (1961-1990), and predicts outcomes based on two emissions scenarios – medium and high. Based on the modelling for mid-century (2035-2064), precipitation may increase by 0.8-1.5 inches, however dry spells could increase by 5 or 6 days. Additionally, temperatures are estimated to increase by 3.2 to 3.9°F. These future projections further reinforce the assumptions to plan for extended droughts such as a single-dry year or five-year consecutive drought, as well as increased water demand due to prolonged dry spells and increased temperatures.
The City continues to implement water conservation programs that promote long-term passive savings (lawn conversion, toilet replacement, appliance upgrades, etc.). Implementation of these types of measures will offset customers’ need to increase water demand from climate change (e.g. hotter and drier weather may lead to an increased demand in landscape irrigation).
5. SB X7-7 Baselines, Targets, and 2020
Compliance
Senate Bill SB X7-7 established requirements for Urban Water Management Plans, beginning with the 2010 update, to include the development of baseline water use and urban water use targets. Specifically, each urban water supplier developed a long-term baseline daily per capita water use and established a per capita water use target for 2020.
The purpose of SB X7-7 is to establish requirements for the State of California to reduce its state-wide urban per capita water use by 20 percent by the year 2020. Failure to meet the 2020 water use target Item 6.j
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32 constitutes a violation of State law. The City is required to meet these water use targets, in addition to new water use targets, such as the Urban Water Use Objective set forth in the State’s water regulation Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life.
5.1 Present and Proposed Activities to Achieve Water Use Targets
The City achieved its SB X7-7 target due to many factors, including water conservation rebate programs, communications and outreach, and participation in the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership. During the multi-year drought in the early 2020s, recycled water use and conservation behaviors also increased substantially. Although water consumption has partially rebounded after the drought, 2025 water consumption remained 16% lower than the 2017-2019 water consumption average.
The City intends to continue these successful water conservation efforts, as well as comply with additional State regulations, such as the best management practices required as part of Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life and the AB1572 non-functional turf irrigation prohibition for certain properties.
5.2 2020 Water Use Target
The City met its 2020 target of a maximum 162 gallons per-capita per day (GPCD), achieving an actual water use of approximately 150 GPCD in 2020. The new Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life uses the 2020 target as a back stop for the Urban Water Use Objective to ensure that the City continues to maintain its SB X7-7 target. Compliance with the 2020 water use target is also a requirement for eligibility for State water grants and loans.
5.3 Targets Summary
The City’s target and achievement are summarized in Table 5-1.
Table 5-1 Retail: SB X7-7 Target Progress
Actual 2020
GPCD
Did Supplier
Achieve
Targeted
Reduction for
2020?
Was Supplier
part of a
merger or
consolidation
since 2025?
Regional
Alliance
Target or
Individual
Targe?
2020 Target
No Individual
Target 162 150 Yes
6. Water Supply Characterization
This section describes the City’s water supplies, including surface water, the water treatment systems, recycled water supply, and future water supply projects. Water supply constraints, such as water rights and water quality, are also discussed.
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33 6.1 Water Supply Analysis Overview
The City is partially located in the North Coast Hydrologic Region, at the north end of the Santa Rosa Valley Groundwater Basin, and partially in the long and very narrow Healdsburg Area Subbasin No. 1-55.02 (Figure 6-1) as identified in DWR Bulletin 118. Healdsburg encompasses approximately 4 square miles and extends east of the Healdsburg Area Subbasin to an area west of the narrow Alexander Area Subbasin.
The Healdsburg Area subbasin includes the floodplain of the Russian River, where the City diverts potable water from wells along the Russian River and Dry Creek. Many smaller communities in the North Coast region rely on the local surface water and groundwater systems.. Figure 6-1shows the Healdsburg Area Subbasin.
Surface water and groundwater storage vary with annual precipitation. In wetter years, the volume of water stored usually increases. In drier years, storage volumes may be reduced. The City’s water sources are solely from surface waters with 8.39 cubic feet per second (cfs) year-round from the Russian River, as well as 1 cfs from Dry Creek. The natural flow and stored water for the Russian River based supply is Lake Mendocino (the location of storage) and the natural flow and storage for Dry Creek is Lake Sonoma.
Releases from the stored water are controlled by Sonoma Water and the Army Corps of Engineers.
6.2 Water Supply Characterization
The City of Healdsburg’s water supply is derived from surface water primarily through water rights but also includes a backup supply of contracted water as detailed below.
6.2.1 Purchased or Imported Water
In 1992 the City entered into an agreement with the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) for a backup water supply. The purpose of the 1992 agreement was to supply the City with a backup water supply should the City water rights become unavailable. After two one-year extensions of the 20-year contract, the City and Sonoma Water were able to negotiate a Water Sale Agreement for 138.5 million gallons per year (425 AFY). In this agreement, the City is obligated to maintain a conservation program as well as increase local water supplies through the promotion and expanded use of recycled water.
6.2.2 Groundwater
The City does not currently pump from groundwater basins or aquifers. The City is currently studying the feasibility of construction groundwater wells at three locations (see Section 6.2.8).
Additionally, the City is studying the feasibility of using these wells to store water (aquifer storage) during periods of high instream flows. Storing water in this manner could allow the City to draw upon this water during dry periods or prolonged droughts.
Table 6-1: Groundwater Volume Pumped
Supplier does not pump groundwater.
The supplier will not complete the table below.
6.2.3 Surface Water
The City’s water supply comes only from surface water diverted either through City held water rights or the Sonoma Water water-sale agreement. As discussed previously in the document, the City diverts surface water at three locations: the Gauntlett Well Field, the Fitch Well Field, and the Dry Creek Well Field. Through the City’s water rights and agreements, each of these diversion points are available to the City year-round. Due to turbidity issues, the Fitch Well Field is not used to Item 6.j
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34 supply potable water between November 1 and May 1. Instead, during this period, a limited portion of this water right is used to provide irrigation of Tayman Park Golf Course and Badger Park The City has replaced the irrigation of the Tayman Park Golf Course with recycled water to offset the use of potable and potentially-potable water for this purpose.
Table 6-2 Existing Water Rights and Diversion Limits
Permit Number
(Application
number)
Location
Maximum
Water Right
(million
gallons per
year)
Actual
Currently
Available
Supply
(AFY)
Diversion Rate
Limit (cfs)1
Diversion
Season
Russian River Water Rights
11039 (A 017121) Gauntlett Well
Field (b) 943 943 4 Year Round
7847 (A 013217) Fitch Well Field 2 708 415 3 Year
Round
13059 (A 017632)
Fitch Mountain –
CSA Right
Diversion Points
192 192 1.39
May 1 to
November
1 Dry Creek Water Rights
8594 (A 014068) Dry Creek Well
Field 138 138 1
April 1 to
November
1 Russian River or Dry Creek
Purchase
agreement with
Sonoma County
Water Agency
138 138 9.74 Year
Round
Total 2,119 1,826
1 Cubic feet per second
2 With the issuance of the City’s current Domestic Water Supply Permit in 1999, operation of the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields was restricted to May 1 through October 31 due to elevated levels in turbidity. This was a temporary condition that was eliminated on the Gauntlett Well Field in October 2005 with the microfiltration water treatment system. In 1988, the permit Order was amended so that the combined maximum annual use under the three permits for 7847, 8594, and 11039 was limited to 3,250 acre-feet.
Additionally, the City has an application pending with the SWRCB for additional water rights on Dry Creek.
On December 5, 1997, the City filed for an additional water right permit for Dry Creek water (Application Number A30663). The application seeks an appropriative right to divert an additional 286.7 million gallons per year (880 AFY) from the five existing Dry Creek wells at a maximum rate of 1.6 cfs from April 1st through October 31st, and 2.6 cfs from November 1st through March 31st. The application was publicly noticed by the SWRCB in 2001 and is still under consideration, as the City and the SWRCB work to resolve water availability analysis and resolve public comments received in response to the application.
For planning purposes, the City conservatively assumes that the additional water right petition will not be resolved within the time horizon of the 2025 UWMP. Table 6-3 summarizes the pending water rights and the diversion limits for information only.
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35 Table 6-3: Pending Water Rights and Diversion Limits Application
Number Location
Additional
Water Right
(million
gallons per
year)
Total Diversion
Rate Limit (cfs) Diversion Season
A30663 Dry Creek Well
Field 286.71
1.6 (from 1.0) April 1 through Oct. 31
2.6 (from 0) Nov 1 through March
31 Total of Water Rights from Table 4-1
(includes CSA Right, and 424 AFY
maximum for Dry Creek)
2119 NA
Total of Water Rights with Assumed
Rate of Pending Water Rights 2,405.7
1Currently, there is a limitation of 1 cfs diversion rate between April and October. The pending Dry Creek application, if approved in full, would be added to the current water right for a total of 420 + 880 = 1,300 AFY.
The Russian River’s flow has been augmented by diversions from the Eel River since 1908 for the operation of the Potter Valley hydroelectric power plant. Under the SWRCB permits 8594, 7847, 11039, and 13059 the City diverts (pumps) water from the Russian River and Dry Creek. Table 6-2 shows the total water supply available to the City based on current water rights for each of the well fields less any limitation due to treatment requirements.
The City’s water rights on the Dry Creek Well Field are currently under review with respect to the definition of this water supply as surface water versus groundwater. In 2012, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) notified the City that data collected in 1997 indicated the Dry Creek wells may be under the influence of surface water and required the City to conduct testing to further clarify the issue. For planning purposes, the City assumes that the Dry Creek wells are under the influence of surface water and additional treatment may be necessary over time. The City has installed filters at the Dry Creek well field in 2025 to remove cryptosporidium.
Russian River and Dry Creek Flows
Three major reservoirs provide water supply for the Russian River watershed: Lake Pillsbury on the Eel River, Lake Mendocino on the East Fork of the Russian River, and Lake Sonoma on Dry Creek. The Russian River and Dry Creek water flows are controlled by releases from two dams: Warm Springs Dam, located on Dry Creek forming Lake Sonoma, and Coyote Valley Dam which is located on the Russian River to the northeast of Ukiah that forms Lake Mendocino.
Both Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino have designated storage pools for water supply and flood control, determined by reservoir elevation. When water levels exceed specific elevations, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) controls releases for flood control; below that elevation Sonoma Water controls releases for water supply.
Sonoma Water is required to maintain sufficient water flow in the river to be protective of human health, fish and wildlife and for recreation in the Russian River. In 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), through the determination of a Biological Opinion (BiOp), concluded that Sonoma Water should modify some of the flood control and water supply operations. The BiOp requires that the summertime flows be permanently reduced to replicate natural summertime river flows, starting in 2010. The BiOp conclusions differ from the water rights decision made by the State Water Resources Control Board in 1986, known as Item 6.j
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36 “Decision 1610.” Decision 1610 set minimum summertime flow requirements for the Russian River. Since then, Sonoma Water has annually petitioned the State Board for interim changes to Decision 1610 depending on what type of water year it is: normal or dry. During a normal year, Sonoma Water is required to maintain minimum flow from the confluence of the East Fork and West Fork of the Russian River and Dry Creek (upper Russian River) 185 cfs during the summer and 150 cfs during winter months. During dry years, for that same stretch the minimum flow requirement is reduced to 75 cfs and 25 cfs during critically dry years.3
Sonoma Water has petitioned for, and has received, temporary urgency change orders to preserve water levels in Lake Mendocino to ensure an adequate supply in the fall for both human uses and for the fall Chinook salmon run.
The City anticipates that water available from Lake Mendocino will be further impacted by changes at the Potter Valley Project. The Potter Valley Project is a PG&E facility that diverted water from the Eel River system to series of dammed lakes to send water through a power generation turbine. The abandoned water of the power generation flowed to the Russian River system. In 2025 PG&E applied to surrender its power generation license from FERC. This application was granted and PG&E is developing a plan to remove two of the dams and power generation facility. City staff anticipates that Lake Mendocino will receive water during the rainy season as part of its flood protection function. The release for flow in the dry season is anticipated to be reduced and that natural water flow beyond releases of stored water might not be available. This natural water flow beyond stored water releases is the source of the City’s water under its prescriptive water rights. As a result, the City will increasingly rely on the purchased water from Sonoma Water to fulfil its water demands, particularly in the dry seasons.
The City’s water rights are affected by the flow of these rivers, but with a minimum flow required, the City’s supply reliability is improved. Under Decision 1610, Sonoma Water is obligated to reserve a certain amount of water and instream flows for water rights holders such as the City of Healdsburg.
Dry Creek Well Field
The Dry Creek Well Field is located above the 100-year floodplain along the east bank of Dry Creek next to the City’s corporation yard on Westside Road and southwest of the City. The geology of the Dry Creek Well Field consists of a uniform sequence of blue clay overlain by 30 to 50 feet of alluvial sand and gravel, which in turn is overlain by a surficial zone of sand, silt, or silty clay.
The Dry Creek Well Field has a total of five wells, which are permitted for use in the City’s domestic water system (Permit 8594). The City’s SWRCB Department of Drinking Water (DDW) permit allows the use of two of the wells in conjunction with ortho-polyphosphate sequestration treatment for manganese. In practice, the City minimizes the use of these wells to avoid introducing manganese to the distribution system, even with the sequestration treatment. The City can legally pump up to 1.0 cfs seasonally (April 1 to November 1st each year) from these wells. This flow rate is equivalent to a maximum delivery rate of 138 million gallons per year (426.5 AFY).
As previously stated, the City applied to the SWRCB for an additional water right for Dry Creek in the amount of 880 AFY in December 1997, which would bring the total Dry Creek diversion to approximately 1,306.5 AFY. This application is still pending, as it has not yet been fully reviewed and approved by the SWRCB. For planning purposes, the City assumes that this pending water right will not be granted in the time horizon of the 2025 UWMP.
Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields
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37 Studies performed by the City in 1998 and 1999 indicated that the Russian River alluvial deposits provided sufficient riverbank filtration for the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields to be used between May and October, without additional treatment. The DDW concurred with these findings; however, the DDW also determined that during the rainy season, when turbidity levels of the Russian River increase, the well water turbidity levels would increase, and the alluvium does not provide a sufficient filtration barrier for turbidity.
Subsequently, the DDW reissued the City’s Domestic Water Supply Permit in June of 1999, placing a seasonal restriction on the use of the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields. This permit did not allow the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields to be operated between November 1st and April 30th. Until late 2005, this seasonal restriction on the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields prevented the City from fully utilizing its Russian River water rights. In 2004 and 2005, the City constructed a water treatment facility for the Gauntlett/Fitch Well Fields. In August 2005, the City submitted an application to modify the DDW permit to eliminate the seasonal restriction on the use of the Gauntlett Well Field. The DDW responded in October 2005, lifting the seasonal restrictions for those wells now being treated. This action allows the City to use of the Gauntlett Wells year-round. Further descriptions of the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields are provided below.
Gauntlett Well Field
The Gauntlett Well Field is located along the west bank of the Russian River and is situated within the 100- year flood plain at the north end of the City. The geology consists of a uniform stratigraphic sequence of grey-green massive shale from the Franciscan formation, overlain by alluvial stream channel and over-bank deposits of coarse-grained sand and gravel.
With no seasonal restrictions, the City’s permit allows for a diversion of up to 4 cfs from the Gauntlett Well Field. These wells pump to the Gauntlett Reservoir where the raw water is gravity fed to the City’s microfiltration plant to reduce the turbidity. From there the water goes to Panorama Reservoir, where it is distributed to customers. Most of the potable water used by the City in the winter months comes from these wells.
As mentioned in previous sections, there are four active potable use wells at the Gauntlett Well Field. The number of wells operating, and the rate of production, are based on demand and are controlled to maintain a minimum level in the Gauntlett Reservoir. When the Well Field is in use, the City typically operates two of the wells and brings the other two on-line if needed to meet demand. Overlapping cones of depression limit the simultaneous operation of all four wells.
Fitch Well Field
The Fitch Well Field is located along the north bank of the Russian River, just south of Fitch Mountain Road and in the southeast part of the City. It is situated within the 100-year flood plain. The Well Field is characterized by a consistent stratigraphic blue clay overlain by 30 to 50 feet of alluvial sand and gravel, in turn overlain by brown sand, silt or silty clay with occasional gravels.
Because the Fitch Well Field is directly adjacent to the Russian River, it is affected by the river’s flow. These wells are considered groundwater under the direct influence of surface water. The City is allowed to pump these wells up to 3 cfs year-round with an annual maximum of 3,250 acre-feet shared between Fitch, Dry Creek, and Gauntlett Well Fields.
Currently, the City’s ability to supply drinking water from the Fitch Well Field is limited by the DDW, due to water quality issues.
Only four of the five wells at the Fitch Well Field are active and permitted for use in the potable water system. The fifth well had a collapsed casing and was properly abandoned. The third well has been disconnected from the potable water system due to high manganese levels but is used to irrigate Badger Park. Of the 4 active potable water wells, the number of those wells in use and the rate of production are varied to maintain minimum water levels in the Tayman Reservoirs.
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38 The City was given water rights to divert flow from the Russian River by the CSA. One of the allowable diversion points for that water right is located within the Fitch Well Field. The City may pump a total of 188 million gallons (578 AFY) using this right. However, due to turbidity issues at the Fitch Well Field, there is a seasonal restriction on this well. This is illustrated in Table 6-2.
Water Quality
According to DWR’s 2009 California Water Plan Update (Bulletin 160-09, Volume 3), the North Coast Hydrologic Region has several water quality challenges. In the Healdsburg Area, sediment, temperature, and nutrients are the focus for the Russian River. Turbidity and manganese are two main water quality concerns for the City.
Turbidity
The Russian River is listed as a 303(d) impaired water body for sedimentation/siltation and temperature. The City also has turbidity issues with the water from some of their Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields in the winter. For this reason, the City installed a water treatment plan at the Gauntlett Well Field, allowing year-round production. A similar treatment plant may be installed at the Fitch Well Field, if needed.
Manganese
The City has discovered manganese in concentrations above drinking water limits in some of the Dry Creek wells. To lower the manganese level to allowable drinking water limits, the water is treated with ortho-polyphosphate treatment.
6.2.4 Stormwater
The City has no large-scale stormwater recovery system in place for water supply augmentation.
The City does have storm water low impact development (LID) features throughout the City. These include recent retrofit projects of pervious street bulb-outs in downtown as well as detention basins.
These features are largely designed for flood control, ground water recharge, and water quality treatment purposes.
6.2.5 Wastewater and Recycled Water
The City operates a tertiary level wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), known as the City of Healdsburg’s Wastewater Treatment, Reclamation and Disposal Facility, which treats all of the City’s wastewater to Title 22 recycled water standards. The City certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on July 11, 2005 for the WWTP Upgrade Project, and the WWTP went into operation in May 2008.
The WWTP Project provides tertiary treated wastewater that can be used in agricultural and urban irrigation areas. The service area for recycled water use was expanded in 2014, in 2016 by addendum to the EIR for seasonal irrigation of vineyards by pipeline and trucked water deliveries, and in 2019 by Subsequent EIR to expand the service area south (to approximately Hop Kiln) and west to reach areas west of Westside Road. The City’s recycled water program is regulated by State of California Water Resources Control Board General Water Reclamation Requirements for Recycled Water Use – Order WQ 2016-0068-DDW-R1001 and California Recycling Criteria – CCR Title 22, Chapter 3, Article 7 Section 06323 administered by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
6.2.5.1 Recycled Water Coordination
The City does not coordinate with any other wastewater facilities or agencies within the City’s service area regarding the quality and availability of recycled water for beneficial reuse. There are Item 6.j
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39 no other agencies collecting, treating, or discharging municipal wastewater both generated and treated within the City’s service area.
The primary driver for the City’s recycled water program is compliance with the seasonal discharge prohibition from the wastewater treatment plant. The City conducted a feasibility study with respect to compliance with the seasonal discharge prohibition. It was determined that agricultural beneficial reuse of the recycled water was the most cost-effective approach for compliance.
Included in the study is a plan to bring recycled water into the City’s water distribution service area for municipal irrigation. The cost of this approach made the project prohibitive unless outside funding is available. In 2022, the City received a grant from the Department of Water Resources to construct the Municipal Recycled Water Pipeline Project. This project was completed in 2025 and serves a school, two parks, a cemetery, and the City’s golf course.
6.2.5.2 Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Disposal
The City’s wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system is described in detail in the Title 2 Engineering Report. The collection system consists of a network of underground pipelines that collect and convey raw wastewater from individual user connections to the City’s advanced Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), sometimes referred to as the WWTP. The WRF is shown on Figure 2.
The WRF includes the following treatment processes:
• Influent equalization ponds.
• Primary screening and grit removal.
• Secondary biological and aeration treatment using aerobic, anoxic, and pre-anoxic basins to provide biological removal of BOD and nitrogen.
• Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) pumping.
• Tertiary membrane bioreactors (MBR)
• Effluent disinfection using ultraviolet (UV) lamps.
• Treated effluent storage (40-million-gallon storage capacity) and pumping. • Solids stabilization (sludge management).
• Dewatering facilities (sludge dewatering).
• Discharge of treated effluent (recycled water) to the Basalt Pond or reuse through the City’s recycled water system.
Table 6-4 summarizes some of the relevant details about the City’s WRF. Table 6-5a summarizes details of the City’s wastewater discharge permit as well as the volume of wastewater treated and discharged in 2020. Currently, from October 1 to May 14 the City discharges the treated effluent to a former gravel extraction pit (Basalt Pond) for percolation into the underlying groundwater basin, which is hydrologically connected to the Russian River. The Basalt Pond is owned by Syar Industries and was created by terrace mining operations that ended in 1985. The remainder to the year, May 15 to September 30, the City is prohibited from discharging to Basalt Pond. During the discharge prohibition, effluent is stored on-site and distributed for irrigation and construction purposes.
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40 Table 6-4: Wastewater Collection within Service Area in 2025, (million gallons) (DWR Table 6-2 Retail)
Wastewater Collection Recipient of Collected Wastewater Name of
Wastewater
Collection
Agency
Wastewater
Volume
Metered or
Estimated?
Volume of
Wastewater
Collected
from
UWMP
Service
Area 2025
Name of
Wastewater
Treatment
Agency
Receiving
Collected
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Name
Is WWTP
Located
Within
UWMP
Area?
Is WWTP
Operation
Contracted
to a Third
Party?
City of
Healdsburg Metered 386 City of Healdsburg
City of
Healdsburg
Wastewater
Treatment,
Recycling and
Disposal Facility
No No
Table 6-5a Retail: Wastewater Treatment and Discharge within Service Area in 2025 (million gallons)
(DWR Table 6-3 Retail)
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Name
Discharge Location Name or
Identifier
Discharge Location Description
Wastewater Discharge ID
Number 2
Method of Disposal
Does This Plant Treat
Wastewater Generated
Treatment Level
2025 volumes (MG)
Wastewater Treated
Discharged Treated
Wastewater
Recycled Within
Service Area
Recycled Outside of
Service Area
Instream Flow Permit
Requirement
City of
Healdsburg
Wastewater
Treatment,
Recycling and
Disposal
Facility
Basalt
Pond
Part of
the
Russian
River
1B82046
OSON
River
or
creek
outfal
l
No Tertiary 386 298 31 57 0
Total 386 298 31 57 0
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41 Table 6-5b Wholesale: Wastewater Treatment and Discharge within Service Area in 2025 (DWR Table 6-3 Wholesale)
Wholesale Supplier neither distributes nor provides supplemental treatment to recycled water.
6.2.5.3 Recycled Water System Description
The City completed design of a recycled water pumping, storage, and distribution system in 2011, and has been implementing elements of the project as funding allows. In 2014, portions of the recycled water distribution system were constructed to serve areas north of the WRF up to Kinley Drive, south of the 101 freeway, and south approximately 5,200 feet south of the WRF. In 2016 the southern reach of the recycled water system was extended approximately 12,000 feet south and approximately 3,500 feet west to engage more agricultural acreage. In 2019, approximately 2,200 feet of recycled water transmission pipeline was added to reach properties west of Westside Road.
Another project in 2021 will add approximately 8,000 feet of pipeline to recycled water system.
The recycled water system improvements implemented to date address agricultural uses as these are the most cost-effective to reach. Section 6.8.1 discusses the future implementation options of recycled water for urban irrigation, should it become cost effective.
Recycled Water Beneficial Uses
The City has an agricultural recycled water program and a municipal recycled water program.
Under the agricultural recycled water program, most of the City’s treated wastewater is delivered to irrigate vineyards just north and south of the WRF via transmission piping. This use of recycled water does not significantly offset the City’s potable water use; it is mainly offsetting the use of groundwater derived from private wells. In addition to the recycled water transmission piping, there are automated kiosk dispensers connected to the recycled water system at Kinley Drive, Healdsburg Ave., and a third one at the WRF. The kiosks allow the City to meter the recycled water used. However, the City’s metering practices do not easily differentiate between recycled water that does or does not offset potable use. The kiosks can be accessed by private vehicles and commercial water tank trucks to supply a small amount of recycled water for gardens, landscaping, dust control, construction site operations and irrigation for a few vineyards.
Under the municipal recycled water program, the City delivers water to a school, a cemetery, two parks and the City’s golf course. It was anticipated that the municipal recycled water program would offset approximately 2 million gallons of potable water and 25 million gallons of potentially potable water in the water service area, for a total of approximately 27 million gallons. In 2025, the municipal recycled water program offset approximately 33 MG of potable and potentially potable water.
The City used to deliver recycled water for industrial use outside the water service area. A direct connection to the recycled water pipeline provides recycled water to the Syar Industries gravel plant for dust control and make up water for gravel processing. However, since 2020, the gravel processing plant has changed ownership and no longer uses recycled water in its operation.
The areas that may receive hauled recycled water are located within the Dry Creek, Alexander, and Russian River Valleys. The extent of the potential recycled water hauling area is shown in Figure 6-2.
Table 6-6a lists the current and projected beneficial uses of the City’s recycled water and compares the actual 2020 recycled water use to the 2020 projections from the 2015 UWMP.
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42 Table 6-6a Retail: Current and Projected Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses within Service Area (DWR Table 6-4 Retail)
Name of Supplier Producing (Treating) the Recycled
Water: City of Healdsburg
Name of Supplier Operating the Recycled Water
Distribution System: City of Healdsburg
Supplemental Water Added in 2025 (volume) NA
Source of 2025 Supplemental Water NA
Beneficial Use
Type
Potential
Beneficial
Uses of
Recycled
Water
(Describe)
Amount of
Potential
Uses of
Recycled
Water
(Quantity)
General
Description
of 2025
Uses
Amount of
Potential
Uses of
Recycled
Water
(Quantity)
Ge
neral
Description
of 2025
Uses
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Agricultural
Irrigation
0 MG Agricultura
l use is
outside of
water
service
area
Tertiary
Landscape
Irrigation
(including golf
courses)
Offset use of
potable water
0 MG Tertiary
31 40 40 40 40
Commercial/re
sidential use
from bulk fill
stations
Construction
water, dust
control,
landscape
irrigation
1 MG Constructio
n water,
dust
control,
landscape
irrigation
Tertiary 0 2 2 2 2
Industrial use Aggregate
processing
7 MG Aggregate
processing Tertiary 0 0 0 0 0
Geothermal
and other
energy
production
Seawater
intrusion barrier
Recreational
impoundment
Wetlands or
wildlife habitat
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43 Groundwater
recharge (IPR)
Reservoir
water
augmentation
(IPR)
Direct potable
reuse
Other
(Description
Required)
Total: 33 42 42 42 42
Table 6-6b Wholesale: Current and Projected Recycled Water Direct Beneficial Uses within Service Area (DWR Table 6-4 Wholesale)
Recycled water is not directly treated or distributed by the Supplier.
Table 6-7a Retail: 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection Compared to 2025 Actual (DWR Table 6-5 Retail)
Beneficial Use Type 2020 Projection for
2025 1 2025 Actual Use1
Agricultural irrigation 65 0
Landscape irrigation (incl.. golf courses) 0 31
Commercial use 2 0
Industrial use 5 0
Geothermal and other energy production
Seawater intrusion barrier
Recreational impoundment
Wetlands or wildlife habitat
Groundwater recharge (IPR)
Reservoir water augmentation (IPR)
Direct potable reuse
Other (Description Required)
Total 72 31
1 Agricultural and Industrial use for recycled water are outside the water distribution service area.
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44 Table 6-7b Wholesale 2020 UWMP Recycled Water Use Projection Compared to 2025 Actual (DWR Table 6-5 Wholesale)
Recycled water is not directly treated or distributed by the Supplier.
The Supplier will not complete the table below.
6.2.5.4 Potential, Current and Projected Recycled Water Uses The City of Healdsburg treats all collected wastewater to advanced treatment levels, complying with Title 22. In 2025, 386 million gallons were treated to this level, 108 million gallons were beneficially reused. The remainder was discharged to the Russian River.
The City has been identifying beneficial reuses, primarily to address the seasonal discharge prohibition During the discharge prohibition period, the City can generate approximately 138 MG, but in 2025 approximately 108 MG was treated. In 2025, approximately 89 MG of the 108 MG treated was reused and 19 was impounded. Agricultural reuse and municipal reuse is expected to require the storage of recycled water from outside the discharge prohibition season to later be used as a summer water supply. The City has approximately 40 MG of onsite recycled water storage to use in managing the recycled water programs.
Extending the recycled water into the City to offset the use of potable water for municipal irrigation (parks cemetery and school athletic fields) would save approximately 40 MG. This extension was completed in 2025 as indicated above. The City has plans to extend the municipal recycled water pipeline to serve more schools and parks for an additional 8 MG of beneficial reuse. However, outside funding is needed to facilitate this extension.
6.2.5.5 Actions to Encourage and Optimize Future Recycled Water Use The original impetus for the City of Healdsburg to develop a recycled water system was to curtail effluent discharge into the Russian River from May 15 to September 30. The City estimates that if all of the vineyards currently connected to the recycled water pipeline irrigated using recycled water rather than well water, and if nearby vineyards were to continue using trucked recycled water, approximately 22.5 million gallons would be diverted from Basalt Pond to these uses.
The City had actively pursued users of the recycled water system by meeting with vineyard operators and currently provides recycled water at no cost to encourage its use. With the satisfaction of discharge prohibition, the City is no longer funding additional agricultural connections; however, users can connect at their own expense. Further the City successfully worked with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to amend the discharge use permit and allow agricultural uses other than vineyard and landscape irrigation. These non-vineyard uses can add approximately 76 million gallons of recycled water usage. While this use is not a direct offset of City potable water, it does contribute to meeting the requirement of the seasonal discharge prohibition and improves the water supply of the Russian River watershed.
Included in the 2005 EIR and master plan for the recycled water system was the irrigating of public properties with recycled water (Table 6-6). These properties have the potential to consume approximately 8.5 million gallons (26 AFY) of recycled water for urban irrigation. Unfortunately, reaching these properties requires a lengthy and costly extension of the pipeline, making these sites less attractive than the vineyards adjacent the WWTP. In future years, changes to regulatory requirements may make use of recycled water within the City limits more feasible.
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45 Issues constraining expanded use of recycled water include public perception, regulatory reporting requirements, and the cost of expanding the recycled water system to reach all potential users identified in the City’s service area and surrounding areas.
Table 6-8: Methods to Expand Future Recycled Water Use, (million gallons) (DWR Table 6-6)
Name of Action Description
Planned
Implementation
Year
Expected Increase in
Recycled Water Use1
Municipal RW
Expansion
Extend municipal RW pipeline to
reach JR high, High School, Fitch Mtn
School, and Community Center
2035 8
Total 8 1 Agricultural uses for recycled water are outside the water distribution service area.
6.2.6 Desalinated Water Opportunities
There are currently no plans for desalination, and no desalination for future water supply is anticipated.
6.2.7 Exchanges or Transfers
The City has no current agreements of future plans for water exchanges or transfers with other water users or agencies.
6.2.8 Future Water Projects
The City is planning to provide treatment at the Fitch well field. This improvement would allow yearround use of this water right. these improvements are designed and in the City’s capital improvement program.
The City is also petitioning the Water Resources Control Board to expanded water rights at the Dry Creek Well Field as the source from Lake Sonoma may be more reliable in the future than sources from the Russian River derived from Lake Mendocino. Implementing improvements at Dry Creek will require modification to the City’s water rights at this diversion point. The City has constructed filtration treatment at Dry Creek sufficient for the increased flow and has a project in the capital improvement program to rehabilitate the clear well, booster pumps and three wells at Dry Creek well field.
To increase water supply and build drought resilience, the City is studying the construction of three groundwater wells to supply water during dry years. Combined these wells are estimated to provide roughly 300gpm and would help increase the City’s annual supply of water by roughly 158 million gallons. Additionally, the City is studying the use of these wells as an aquifer storage and recovery system. If proven feasible and permitted by the State, this would help the City store water during periods of high instream flow (wet years), saving this water for later use during periods of low instream flows (dry years). The City had received funding through a FEMA grant that was then cancelled by the Department of Homeland Security only to be reinstated months later. The elapsed time between the cancellation of the grant and the reinstatement did not leave enough time to do work on the project within the expiration of time on the grant. T is seeking other funding opportunities for this work.
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46 Table 6-9a Retail: Expected Future Water Supply Projects (DWR Table 6-7 Retail)
Name of
Future
Projects
Joint Project with
other suppliers?
Description
Planned
Implementation
Year
Planned for
Use in Year
Type
Expected
Increase
in Water
Supply
to
Supplier,
MG
Filtration
for Fitch No
Provide filtration
for Fitch Well Field
to allow yearround use of the
water right
2035 All Year Types 292
Aquifer
Storage
and
Recovery
Wells
No
Develop ASR wells
to supplement
drinking water
supply during
times of drought
2030
Average and
Single-Dry
Year
158
Municipal
Recycled
Water
Pipeline
Extension
No
Extend municipal
RW pipeline to
reach JR high, High
School, Fitch Mtn
School, and
Community Center
2035 All Year Types 8
Table 6-9b Wholesale: Expected Future Water Supply Projects (DWR Table 6-7 Wholesale)
No expected future water supply projects or programs that provide a quantifiable increase to the agency’s water supply. Supplier will not complete the table below.
6.2.9 Summary of Existing and Planned Sources of Water
Table 6-10 shows the actual volume of water available in 2020 from each supply source. Projected water supply for the next 25 years was calculated using 2020 actual water supply, as well as the recycled water for potable water offset projections shown in Table 6-6a. Future water projections are shown in Table 6-11a.
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47 Table 6-10a Retail: Water Supplies (million gallons) – Actual (DWR Table 6-8 Retail)
Water Supply
Additional Detail on
Water Supply
2025
Actual Volume Water Quality
Total Right or
Safe Yield*
(optional)
Surface water (not
desalinated) Gauntlett Well Field 373 Drinking Water 943 Surface water (not
desalinated) Fitch Well Field 90 Drinking Water 415
Surface water (not
desalinated) Dry Creek Well Field 657 Drinking Water 138 Surface water (not
desalinated)
Fitch Mountain CSA
Right 15 Drinking Water 192
Purchased or Imported
Water
Sonoma Water
supplement 0 Drinking Water 138
Total 543 1,826
Table 6-10b Wholesale: Water Supplies, (million gallons) – Actual (DWR Table 6-8 Wholesale)
Water Supply
Additional Detail on
Water Supply
2025
Drop down list
May use each category multiple
times. These are the only water
supply categories that will be
recognized by the WUEdata
online submittal tool
Actual Volume Water Quality
Drop Down List
Total Right or
Safe Yield*
(optional)
Add additional rows as needed
Surface water (not
desalinated)
Fitch Mountain CSA
Right 15 Drinking Water 192
Total 15 192
Included in Table 6-10a
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48 Table 6-11a Retail: Water Supplies, million gallons – Projected (DWR Table 6-9 Retail)
Water
Supply Additional Detail on Water Supply
Projected Water Supply (MG)
2030 2035 2040 2045
Reasonably
Available
Total Right
or Safe Yield
Reasonably
Available
Total Right
or Safe Yield
Reasonably
Available
Total Right
or Safe Yield
(optional)
Reasonably
Available
Volume
Total Right
or Safe Yield
(optional)
Surface
water (not
desalinate
d)
Gauntle
tt Well
Field
943 943 943 943 943 943 943 943
Surface
water (not
desalinate
d)
Fitch
Well
field
415 415 415 415 708 708 708 708
Surface
water (not
desalinate
d)
Dry
Creek
Well
Field
138 138 138 138 245 245 245 245
Surface
water (not
desalinate
d)
CSA 192 192 192 192 384 384 384 384
Purchased
or
Imported
Water
Sonoma
County
Purchas
ed
Water
138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138
Groundwa
ter (not
desalinate
d)
ASR
Well -
Ground
Water
Basin 1-
055.02
236 236 236 236 236 236 236 236
Total 2,062 2,062 2,062 2,062 2654 2654 2654 2654
(1) year-round use of Fitch water right expected after filtration added, anticipated after 2035 (2) Dry Creek well field water right petition anticipated to be approved approx. 2040.
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49 Table 6-11b Wholesale Water Supplies – Projected
(DWR Table 6-9 Wholesale)
Water
Supply Additional Detail on Water Supply
Projected Water Supply*
Report to the Extent Practicable
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 (opt)
Reasonably
Available Volume
Total Right or Safe
Yield (optional)
Reasonably
Available Volume
Total Right or Safe
Yield (optional)
Reasonably
Available Volume
Total Right or Safe
Yield (optional)
Reasonably
Available Volume
Total Right or Safe
Yield (optional)
Reasonably
Available Volume
Total Right or Safe
Yield (optional)
Surface
water (not
desalinated)
Retail
source --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Total -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1 Included in Retail supplies
6.2.9 Summary of Existing and Planned Water Sources
The preceding sections of Chapter 6 present a description of the City of Healdsburg existing and planned water supplies. These sections draw upon the tables in the 2020 UWMP Guidance tables as indicated in Table 6-11.
6.3 Energy Use
Energy intensity is a measure of the unit energy required to acquire, treat and distribute water throughout the system. Additionally, the unit energy to collect, treat and dispose of the water used by the service area is quantified.
The power consumed in 2025 to provide potable water throughout the system is presented in Table O-1A.
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50 Table 6-12 – Water Supply Energy Intensity for 2025 (table slightly modified from template)
Urban Water Supplier Operational Control
Water Management Process
NonConsequential
Hydropower (if
applicable)
UnitsProduction (Extract and Divert)Place into StorageConveyanceTreatmentDistributionTotal Utility HydropowerNet Utility Volume of
Water
Entering
Process MG
543 543 543 543 0 543
Energy
Consumed
kWh 890,244 333,095 114,977 1,338,316 1,338,316
Energy
Intensity
kWh/
MG 1,638 613 212 2,462 0 2,462
For the water distribution system, power is used at the wells to lift water to the treatment processes.
Gauntlett wells pump to the Gauntlett Reservoir after which the raw water flows through the treatment process by gravity and finished water is stored in the Panorama Reservoir. Fitch wells pump to the Tayman Reservoir with chemical injection in route. Dry Creek pumps to the Dry Creek clear well with chemical injection on the route.
Panorama and Dry Creek have booster pumps to distribute the water. Tayman flows by gravity to the distribution system. The distribution system also has booster pumps to move water between pressure zones. The distribution system booster pumps consist of Dry Creek, Panorama, Revel, McDonough and Passalacqua booster pump stations.
Table O-1A above is based on the electricity consumption from electric metered billing data for electric accounts that provide retail potable water delivery (including wells, treatment, pumping, etc.), for which each electric account was assigned the most applicable water management process category. Note that the City provides wholesale water to a nearby water district, and it is not feasible to disaggregate the electricity consumed specifically for the wholesale water production. This metric for overall potable water operations is a useful insight for understanding the energy-water nexus.
The power consumed in 2025 to provide treatment of the wastewater generated from the potable water use is presented in Table O-2.
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51 Table 6-13 – Wastewater and Recycled Water Supply Energy Intensity for 2025 (table slightly modified from template)
Urban Water Supplier Operational Control
Water Management Process
UnitsCollection / ConveyanceTreatmentDischarge / DistributionTotal Volume of Wastewater Entering Process MG
386 386 267 386
Energy Consumed
kWh 193,826 3,347,743 104,201 3,645,770
Wastewater Energy Intensity kWh/MG 502 8,672 390 13,655 Volume of Recycled Water Entering
Process MG 0 0 119 119
Recycled Water Energy Consumed kWh 0 0 46,442 46,442
Recycled Water Energy Intensity
kWh/MG 0 0 390 390
Total Wastewater and Recycled Water
Energy Intensity kWh/MG 502 8,672 390 9,565
For the wastewater system, power is used at the lift stations to deliver wastewater to the WRF, where it is then treated and either discharged or distributed as recycled water for irrigation purposes.
The power consumed to collect and convey the wastewater to the WRF for treatment is upon based electric metered billing data for the lift stations, with the exceptions of Hendricks, Giorgi Park, Corporation Yard and Dry Creek lift stations. Hendricks Lift Station operates on PG&E power because it is outside of the service area of the City’s electric utility. The Giorgi Park, Corporation Yard and Dry Creek lift stations billing is embedded in the metering of other facilities. These lift stations are small, and their combined power usage is estimated to be negligible.
Treatment power usage is based on electric metered billing data for the WRF. Treatment power includes blowers, compressors, pumps, UV disinfection, and process equipment. The WRF completed an in-depth energy audit in 2024 and 2025 to identify top priority energy efficiency projects, for which next steps for implementing the identified projects are being determined.
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52 Recycled-water distribution power usage is embedded in the WRF power usage, which had sub metering added in November 2020. The power usage to pump treated water was subtracted from the overall WRF usage and the amount of power usage for discharge and distribution pumping is split proportionately in Table O-2 above based on the amount of water being pumped for discharge and for distribution of recycled water.
Additionally, the WRF had floating solar panels installed on two of the recycled water ponds in 2021.
However, these solar panels feed directly into the electric distribution system as a Power Purchase Agreement and do not reduce the WRF power usage or electric bills.
This metric for overall wastewater operations is a useful insight for understanding the energy-water nexus.
The treatment process for wastewater at Healdsburg is much more energy intensive than its water production.
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53 Figure 6-1. Groundwater Basins
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54 Figure 6-2 Reclaimed Water Distribution Facility
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55 7. Water Supply Reliability and Drought
Risk Assessment
7.1 Introduction
Assessing water service reliability is the fundamental purpose for an urban water supplier (Supplier) to prepare an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP). Water service reliability reflects the Supplier’s ability to meet the water needs of its customers, including end-use customers and retail urban suppliers, with water supplies under varying conditions.
7.2 Water Service Reliability Assessment
The UWMP includes an assessment of its water supply reliability in normal, dry, and multiple dry water years. Factors influencing the City’s water supply reliability are discussed in this section.
7.2.1 Constraints on Water Sources
Several constraints affect the reliability of the City’s supply, consisting of source constraints, legal and environmental constraints, and water quality constraints, as described in the following sections.
7.2.1.1 Source Constraints
The reliability of the City’s supply is generally protected by the Sonoma Water, formerly known as Sonoma Water, diversion requirement to maintain the flow of the Russian River at minimum levels at specific points in the Russian River. As described in Chapter 3, Sonoma Water also has the responsibility for maintaining minimum flows in Dry Creek with releases from Warm Springs Dam, which ensures adequate flows at the Dry Creek well field, located below the dam.
The flow of the Russian River has been augmented by diversions from the Eel River since 1908 for operation of the Potter Valley hydroelectric power project. This water diversion has been controversial for many years due to concerns over impairment of Eel River salmonid populations over the life of the project. In January 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a decision that amended the plant’s operational license, currently held by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The amended plan generally reduced the allowable annual diversion from the Eel River by 15%. This license expired in April of 2022.
In 2025, PG&E submitted an application to surrender its FERC license and the application was accepted. As conditions of the FERC license surrender, PG&E will remove two dams upstream of Lake Pillsbury and will greatly reduce the diversions from the Eel River system to the Russian River system. The resulting diversions may be as low as five cubic feet per second to maintain flow for salmonids. Sonoma Water is developing a plan, referred to as the New Eel-Russian Facility that could increase the diversions from the Eel River system to the Russian River system; however, the increased volume of diversion is uncertain at this time and anticipated to be limited to approximately 35 cubic feet per second.
As described in Section 6.3.2, Sonoma Water must maintain sufficient water flow in the river to be protective of human health, fish and wildlife and for recreation in the Russian River. In 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), through the determination of a Biological Opinion (BiOp), concluded that Sonoma Water should modify some of the flood control and water supply Item 6.j
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56 operations. The BiOp requires that the summertime flows be permanently reduced to replicate natural summertime river flows, starting in 2010. Since then, Sonoma Water has annually petitioned the State Board for interim changes to Decision 1610 depending on what type of water year it is:
normal, dry or critically dry. During a normal year, Sonoma Water is required to maintain 185 cfs for the upper Russian River (between the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Russian River and the confluence of the Russian River and Dry Creek) and 125 cfs for the lower Russian River (between its confluence with Dry Creek and the Pacific Ocean).
The City executed a water sale agreement with the Sonoma Water in 2015. The agreement allows the City to divert up to 138 MG (425 AF) per year from stored water within Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. Under the agreement if Sonoma Water has a shortage of water, the water sold to the City could also be curtailed.
7.2.1.2 Legal & Environmental Constraints
There are factors other than drought or emergency that cause, or have the potential to cause, inconsistent supply to meet demands and are due to legal, environmental, or climatic issues.
The City presently holds four existing water rights permits for diversion from Dry Creek and the Russian River. In addition, the City has one application pending with the SWRCB for additional water rights on Dry Creek. Summaries of each existing and pending water rights permit are provided in Table 6-8a.
In September 2008, a final Biological Opinion (BiOp) was released by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and issued to the Sonoma Water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the California Department of Fish and Game, and the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District. The BiOp is a federal mandate on Russian River operations of the receiving agencies listed above that affect salmonids on state and federal endangered species lists (steelhead, Coho, and Chinook) which affects Sonoma Water supply operations and subsequent delivery to its water customers, including the City.
The BiOp calls for the elimination or reduction of impacts to salmonids due to water supply and flood control activities in the Russian River watershed through measures deemed to be “reasonable and prudent alternatives,” including:
• Extensive monitoring of both habitat and fish in Dry Creek, the estuary and the Russian River; • Eliminating impediments to fish migration and improving habitat on several streams; • Restoring up to six miles of habitat in Dry Creek and studying a bypass project; • Requesting the SWRCB to reduce summertime flows in the Russian River; and • Creating a freshwater lagoon in the estuary at the mouth of the Russian River during the summer months.
NMFS concluded that lower flows in Dry Creek and Russian River create a better environment for juvenile salmon and steelhead and the BiOp identified habitat restoration projects in Dry Creek to reduce water velocities in the stream/river. Current minimum summer flows are based on weather conditions and range from 125 cfs (during a normal year, as measured at the Healdsburg Gage upstream of the Dry Creek confluence) to 85 cfs (as measured during a dry year). Under the terms of the BiOp, minimum flows would be dropped to 70 cfs with an additional 15 cfs to maintain system flexibility for a total flow of 85 cfs. The BiOp acknowledged a need for balance and flexibility and noted that Sonoma Water may find alternative minimum flow requirements that meet the goals of restoring functional salmonid-rearing habitat while promoting water conservation and limited adverse effects on other in-stream resources.
7.2.1.3 Water Quality Constraints
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57 The quality of the City’s water deliveries is regulated by the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) and the Division of Drinking Water (DDW), which requires regular collection and testing of water samples to ensure that the quality meets regulatory standards and does not exceed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The City performs water quality testing, which has consistently yielded results within the acceptable regulatory limits (2020 Healdsburg Consumer Confidence Report).
The quality of existing surface water, groundwater, and recycled water supply sources over the next 25 years is expected to be adequate. Groundwater and groundwater under the influence of surface water will continue to be treated to drinking water standards, and no surface water, groundwater, or recycled water quality deficiencies are foreseen to occur in the next 25 years.
Various City-owned wells have or have had water quality issues and use restrictions due to manganese and/or elevated turbidity. These concerns are managed with water treatment facilities and use management, as discussed in Section 6.2.3 Currently, the seasonal use restrictions affecting the City due to water quality concerns are seasonal restrictions on the Gauntlett and Fitch Well Fields. The City treats water obtained from the Gauntlett Well Field in order to utilize this water source year-round. The City is exploring options for the Fitch Well Field to extend the availability of this water source year-round. The City anticipates completing improvements or adding diversion points to allow the year-round use of the Fitch Water Right after 2035. The City is not constrained in its access to its total water right due to water quality constraints; but rather limited in when it can use water pumped from these sources without treatment seasonally.
7.2.2 Reliability by Type of Year
This section describes the historic reliability of the City’s water supply and any vulnerability due to seasonal or climatic shortage. Discussion generally pertains to curtailments of supply due to hydrologic shortages. It does not exclude possible requirements imposed by the state to reduce demand.
The following section, 7.2.2.1, discusses the types of rainfall years for which the UWMP requires forecast planning: average, single-dry, and multiple-dry years. Previous UWMPs prepared by the City of Healdsburg have used representative years identified in watershed modelling developed by Sonoma Water. Because of changing weather patterns, the recent drought, and comments received from the Public during development of the 2015 UWMP, the City decided to re-evaluate the representative years. Unfortunately, rainfall data is not consistent for the City of Healdsburg.
Because of this, the analysis was completed for period from 1910 to 2020 using Ukiah rainfall data, which has the most complete data set and represents precipitation available to fill storage within Lake Mendocino.
The findings of this analysis and adjustments to the representative years, as well as supply reduction assumptions, are discussed in the subsequent section and summarized in Table 7-1.
7.2.2.1 Types of Years
Normal Year
For the purposes of UWMP, Normal Year is defined as a year, or an averaged range of years, that most closely represents the average water supply available to the City. This is also referred to as “normal” conditions in the UWMP Act.
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58 calculations will assume no restriction to supply. Tables 7-2 and 7-3 project water supply in average year conditions over the next 25 years.
Single-Dry Year
The single-dry year is the year that represents the lowest water supply available to the City. For the 1990-2020 CIMIS data, the single driest water year was the 2020-2021 water year with a rainfall of 13.48 inches in Ukiah. This water year is 9 inches less than the 1991-1992 water-year rainfall (22.4 inches) and triggered curtailments of each of the City’s water rights during the summer of 2021.
For forecasting purposes, 2020-2021 water-year will be used as the single-dry year, and calculations will assume full curtailment of all City water rights and that only public health and safety diversions are permitted up to a citywide or gross GPCD of 112. This results in approximately 73% reduction in the City’s available water supply in the first 10 years of the study period. Starting in 2030 the development of groundwater wells helps to increase supply but does not fully alleviate the need for conservation during drought years. Tables 7-3 and 7-4 show projected water supply in single-dry year conditions over the next 25 years.
Five-Consecutive-Year Drought
The multiple-dry year period is a period that represents the lowest average water supply available to the City over a consecutive five-year period.
The 2015 UWMP used a three-year period from 2013 to 2015 as the City’s multiple-dry year period.
This period received 73 inches of rainfall total, an average of about 18 inches per year. The 2020 UWMP guidelines require the study of a consecutive five-year period for the multiple-dry year analysis. In review of the past 30-years of precipitation records period from 1990-2020 finds the lowest average water-year rainfall was from water year 2010-11 to water year 2014-15: 110 inches of rainfall, or an average of about 22 inches per year.
For forecasting purposes, water-years 2010-11 through 2014-15 will be used as the multiple-dry year period. During this period, the 2020 UWMP assumes all but the City’s Fitch water right will be curtailed as experienced during the 2014/2015 drought. Future water supplies for the multiple-dry year period are based upon only the Fitch Water right and starting in 2030 availability of groundwater supplies.
Table 7-1 provides the base years for average, single-dry and multiple-dry water years. These base years may change in future UWMPs, if it is determined that the current or a future drought is a worse scenario than the years listed here. This table also summarizes the reliability of the City’s water supply when compared to historical drought conditions, as related to potential supply curtailments. Table 7-1 illustrates single-year and multi-year drought scenarios based on actual historical droughts and the assumed water right and supply curtailments noted above.
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59 Table 7-1a Retail: Basis of Water Year Data, million gallons (DWR Table 7-1 Retail)
Year Type Base Year Volume Available % of Average Supply Average Year WY 1999-20 1,826 100%
Single-Dry Year WY 2020-21 448 25%
Consecutive Dry Years 1st Year WY 2010-11 708 39%
Consecutive Dry Years 2nd Year WY2011-12 708 39%
Consecutive Dry Years 3rd Year WY 2012-13 708 39%
Consecutive Dry Years 4th Year WY 2013-14 708 39%
Consecutive Dry Years 5th Year WY 2014-15 708 39%
Based on CIMIS Station 83 data, Jan 1990 to Dec 2020. Supply percentage is based on water year (October to September) rainfall divided by the average rainfall for data period.
Table 7-1b Wholesale: Basis of Water Year Data
(DWR Table 7-1 Wholesale)
Year Type Base Year Volume Available % of Average Supply Average Year WY 1999-20 192 100%
Single-Dry Year WY 2020-21 17 9%
Consecutive Dry Years 1st Year WY 2010-11 23 12%
Consecutive Dry Years 2nd Year WY2011-12 23 12%
Consecutive Dry Years 3rd Year WY 2012-13 23 12%
Consecutive Dry Years 4th Year WY 2013-14 23 12%
Consecutive Dry Years 5th Year WY 2014-15 23 12%
7.2.3 Water Service Reliability
This section summarizes the City’s expected water supply reliability and demands for average, single-dry, and multiple-dry years for 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045. Each supply reliability scenario is compared against demand projects both including and excluding conservation. This additional analysis indicates what role conservation can play in ensuring demand is met. For clarity and comparison’s sake, these demand scenarios are shown in separate tables.
7.2.3.1 Water Service Reliability - Normal Year Supply and Demand Assessment Tables 7-2 show comparisons for the average or normal year supply and demands; projected total supply is referenced from Table 6-11 and total demand is referenced from Table 4-5.
Both Tables show that, in a normal year, the City of Healdsburg is expected to maintain a projected surplus sufficient to meet projected demands.
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60 Table 7-2a Retail: Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison, million gallons (Table 7-2 Retail)
2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply totals 1,251 1,251 1,409 1,409
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 678 672 824 819
Table 7-2b Wholesale: Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison, million gallons (DWR Table 7-2 Wholesale)
2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply totals 192 192 192 192
Demand totals 25 25 25 25
Difference 167 167 167 167
7.2.3.2 Single-Dry Year Supply and Demand Assessment
Table 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 show comparisons for the single-dry year; projected total supply is referenced from Table 6-12, reduced to assuming full curtailment of all available water rights and that diversions for public health and safety needs will be allowed up to 112 GPCD.
The tables show that, in a single-dry year, there will be a water supply shortage. Table 7-3a shows a mandatory conservation requirement of nearly 40% for the single-dry year scenario. During these conditions, mandatory water conservation will be required to mitigate the supply shortage.
Table 7-3a Retail: Single Dry Year Supply (26% available) and Demand Comparison (DWR Table 7-3 Retail)
2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply totals1 521 526 532 536
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference (52) (53) (53) (54)
1This annualized table may overstate resilience of the water supply as the City’s use of water varies greatly with the seasons and the desire for outdoor irrigation. On a monthly basis, 34% to 38% reduction in usage may be required, particularly in summer.
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61 Table 7-3b Wholesale: Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison (DWR Table 7-3 Wholesale)
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Supply totals 17 17 17 17 17
Demand totals 25 25 25 25 25
Difference (8) (8) (8) (8) (8)
7.2.3.3 Water Service Reliability – Five Consecutive Dry Years Tables 7-4a show comparisons for the multiple-dry year scenario. The multiple-dry year scenario projections are based upon the assumption that all but the City most senior water, the Fitch right, will be curtailed and not available to the City. In future years the water supply increases due to the availability of groundwater. Total demand, excluding any long-term conservation, is referenced from Table 4-5.
Both tables show that, in a multiple-dry year period, the City of Healdsburg has an insufficient water supply to meet demand without mandatory conservation efforts (except for year 2030). While conservation is needed during these periods of prolonged drought, the level of conservation over the study period is minor and ranges from less than five percent to roughly twelve percent.
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62 Table 7-4a Retail: Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison – Million Gallons (DWR Table 7-4 Retail)
2030* 2035* 2040* 2045*
First year
Supply totals 708 708 708 708
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 135 129 123 118
Second year
Supply totals 708 708 708 708
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 135 129 123 118
Third year
Supply totals 708 708 708 708
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 135 129 123 118
Fourth year
Supply totals 708 708 708 708
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 135 129 123 118
Fifth year
Supply totals 708 708 708 708
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 135 129 123 118
Sixth year
Supply totals 708 708 708 708
Demand totals 573 579 585 590
Difference 135 129 123 118
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63 Table 7-4b Wholesale: Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand Comparison – Million Gallons
(DWR Table 7-4 Wholesale)
2030 2035 2040 2045
First year
Supply totals 23 23 23 23
Demand totals 21 21 21 21
Difference 2 2 2 2
Second year
Supply totals 23 23 23 23
Demand totals 21 21 21 21
Difference 2 2 2 2
Third year
Supply totals 23 23 23 23
Demand totals 21 21 21 21
Difference 2 2 2 2
Fourth year
Supply totals 23 23 23 23
Demand totals 21 21 21 21
Difference 2 2 2 2
Fifth year
Supply totals 23 23 23 23
Demand totals 21 21 21 21
Difference 2 2 2 2
Sixth year
Supply totals 23 23 23 23
Demand totals 21 21 21 21
Difference 2 2 2 2
1This annualized table may overstate resilience of the water supply as the City’s use of water varies greatly with the seasons and the desire for outdoor irrigation. On a monthly basis, 12% to 36% reduction in usage may be required, particularly in summer
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64 Table 7-5: Five-Year Drought Risk Assessment, million gallons (DWR Table 7-5)
Submittal Table 7-5: Five-Year Drought Risk Assessment Tables To address Water Code Section 10635(b)
2026 Total
Total Water Use 538
Total Supplies 708
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 170
Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action 20
2027 Total
Total Water Use 547
Total Supplies 708
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 161
Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action 22
2028 Total
Total Water Use 555
Total Supplies 708
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 153
Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action 23
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65 2029 Total
Total Water Use 564
Total Supplies 708
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 144
Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action 25
2030 Total
Total Water Use 573
Total Supplies 708
Surplus/Shortfall w/o WSCP Action 135
Planned WSCP Actions (use reduction and supply augmentation) WSCP - supply augmentation benefit
WSCP - use reduction savings benefit
Revised Surplus/(shortfall)
Resulting % Use Reduction from WSCP action 27 1This annualized table may overstate resilience of the water supply as the City’s use of water varies greatly with the seasons and the desire for outdoor irrigation. On a monthly basis, 20% to 27% reduction in usage may be required, particularly in summer
7.3 Drought Risk Assessment
The City’s combined projected water supplies are sufficient to meet projected demands during normal water supply conditions. Under single-year and multiple-dry year conditions, this plan shows there is a need for mandatory conservation ranging from as little as five percent to as high as 40% or higher.
7.3.1. Data, Methods and Basis for Water Shortage Condition The single dry year condition reflects a sharp reduction in available water supplies. Based on robust use projections, the loss of available water necessitates conservation in all years when comparing demand to available water supply (Tables 7-3). Future severe droughts will limit the City’s available water supply. To lessen the negative effects of future droughts the City will need to continue efforts towards water conservation, water supply contingency planning, and investigate the development of new and more resilient water supplies.
The water supply data for five consecutive dry years were based on the lowest consecutive fiveyear period in the historical rainfall data used for this UWMP. Each of these years showed a smaller reduction in supply than the single driest year. As such, the supply versus normal demand deficit is less pronounced but still requires conservation and water supply contingency planning.
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66 As previously discussed, the City has successfully implemented conservation – both voluntary and mandatory – to reduce overall water demands and accommodate supply shortages. However, the City water supply remains largely tied to annual rainfall and storage levels within Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. The City will need to continue working closely with Sonoma Water and other regional water entities to maximize the water available to the City. The City will also need to develop alternative sources of water and potentially aquifer storage to build resiliency to future droughts.
Additionally, the City will also work to increase its capability to draw water from the Dry creek diversion points as the Dry Creek sources fed from Lake Sonoma are more drought resilient than Russian River sources fed from Lake Mendocino.
7.3.3 Total Water Supply and Use Comparison
The water supply data for five consecutive dry years shows a shortfall in water supply and a need for conservation during these years. The single-dry year scenario shows a significant shortfall in supply compared to forecasted water demands. In either case, the City must prepare for mandatory conservation during times of drought and invest in new and additional water supplies to lessen the level of conservation necessary.
Options for the development of new water supplies include the potential to develop groundwater wells that include or allow for aquifer storage, development of recycled water use within the City’s service territory, ongoing development of long-term water conservation, and continued efforts to support the City’s existing and pending water rights. A major obstacle in implementing these additional supplies is the development of funding sources adequate to effect each project within a short period of time. Healdsburg water system is aged and requires significant replacement of existing capital infrastructure. Funding of new infrastructure projects will likely result in rate increases.
The City should contract for additional stored water from Sonoma Water. If agreed to by Sonoma Water, this additional water would provide an immediate increase to Healdsburg available water supplies but would come at a cost. Currently the backup water supply agreement with Sonoma Water is the highest cost of water for Healdsburg. Increasing the volume of contracted water may require a rate increase.
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67 8. Water Shortage Contingency Planning
Water shortage contingency planning is a strategic planning process to prepare for and respond to water shortages. Section 10632 of the California Water Code (CWC) requires that UWMPs provide a contingency analysis to serve as a resource in the case of water supply interruption due to drought or other factors causing water shortage. Specifically, the CWC requires UWMPs to include a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) that outlines the following items:
o The analysis of water supply reliability conducted pursuant to Section 10635. o The procedures used in conducting an annual water supply and demand assessment. o Six standard water shortage levels corresponding to progressive ranges of up to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 percent shortages and greater than 50 percent shortage. o Shortage response actions that align with the defined shortage levels. o Communication protocols and procedures to inform customers, the public, interested parties, and local, regional, and state governments.
o Customer compliance, enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures for triggered shortage response actions.
8.1 Water Supply Reliability Analysis
The City of Healdsburg sources water from water wells along the Russian River (Fitch and Gauntlett well fields) and the Dry Creek well field. Water from these well fields is diverted under surface water rights dating back to 1949 (Fitch), 1950 (Dry Creek) and 1956 (Gauntlett). Surface water flows in both the Russian River and Dry Creek are sustained by storage in Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. The City also gains an additional backup supply of water by contracting for water with Sonoma Water (formally Sonoma County Water Agency).
In normal years, flows are sufficient to support continued diversions from both the Russian River and Dry Creek. In low rain years, storage within Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma helps to support instream flows and downstream water rights, but depending on the storage levels some conservation measures may be required. The changes in the Potter Valley Project exacerbates the flow availability from Russian River diversion points and will likely require the City to use the purchased water rights more frequently in order to draw upon stored water rather than natural flow.
There are other less frequent issues that may impact the City’s ability to divert water from the Russian River. A spill releasing toxins within the Russian River could result in a loss of one or more well fields in the impacted river causing the City to divert from other, unimpacted, well fields. Equipment damage or natural disasters (earthquake, landslide, flooding, etc.) could also impact the City’s ability to divert water from one or more of the three well fields. Under these more immediate and unforeseen conditions City staff would need to identify the amount of water available within City storage tanks and the duration of the well field loss such that appropriate conservation measures (if any) could be implemented quickly.
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68 The City completed the 2023 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2024, which identifies local hazards (including drought and seismic activity), their risks, and mitigation strategies. The 2026 plan update will leverage a regional approach to prepare a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) that comprises the hazard profiles, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies for multiple jurisdictions. Information about these plans can be found at https://healdsburg.gov/1045/Plans.
8.2 Annual Water Supply Demand Assessment Procedures
The City will use the decision-making process described below to determine water supplies, water demands, and water reliability on an annual basis. The City may adjust this process annually as needed for improved decision-making.
8.2.1 Decision Making Process
City staff will complete the following steps each year to assess the City’s water supply reliability.
Upon completion of these steps, staff will present findings to the City Council for their action if needed. • By February 20 of the reporting calendar year – develop a two-year forecast of water demands with the first year taking into account best available data from the National Weather Service, historical water storage plus future demands, and other policy decisions that may reduce or increase water usage. The second year of this two-year forecast shall be based upon dry weather patterns.
• By March 20 of the reporting calendar year – identify existing and forecasted water storage levels for both Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma and any potential impact that would curtail or limit the City’s existing water rights and wholesale water agreements over the coming 24 months.
• By April 20 of the reporting calendar year – identify any existing equipment, projects, maintenance, City staffing, or exterior influences that may impact the City’s ability to divert and treat water from the City’s well fields.
Upon assessing and determining the City water supply reliability, City staff will present their findings to the City Council in the month of May or sooner. At that time City Council could choose to implement water conservation measures or direct staff to continue to monitor the City’s water supply for any necessary changes.
8.2.2 Data and Methodologies
This section provides a description of key data inputs and annual assessment methodologies used to evaluate water service reliability for the current year and one subsequent dry year. This section is not intended to provide a fully complete list of indicators of water supply, but rather to provide a starting point and minimum amount of data necessary for assessing the current year’s water supply reliability.
Evaluation Criteria
The largest influence on the City’s water supply is annual rainfall and storage within Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma. Key data for the annual assessment will be based upon annual rainfall and water storage.
Water Supply
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69 The majority of the City’s water is diverted from the Russian River with a lesser amount diverted from Dry Creek. The Russian River’s yearly instream flows are maintained by natural flows and water storage within Lake Mendocino. Dry Creek’s natural flows are supplemented by storage within Lake Sonoma. While Lake Sonoma contains multiple years of water storage, Lake Mendocino is typically limited to a single year of supply.
Storage levels within these two bodies are controlled by the Army Corp and Sonoma Water. Water storage levels are managed to control flooding, maintain instream flows, and supply water throughout the year. Sonoma Water posts online storage levels for these two bodies of water and also provides monthly forecasts of storage levels.
Current Year Unconstrained Customer Demand
Current year demand will be forecasted based upon the straight-line trend of the past three years of water usage. If one of the past three years of water usage included mandatory conservation measures, adjustments will be made to forecast typical demand unrestricted by mandatory conservation measures. The forecasted years shall be adjusted for any large-scale development project planned for completion within the forecast period. Forecasted customer demands shall include both a monthly total usage (MG) and a forecasted daily peak usage (CFS) for each month.
Current Year Available Supply
The current year’s available supply should be determined based upon a combination of water storage within Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino, availability of the City’s water rights, wholesale contracts, and any potential capital projects, maintenance projects, out of service equipment, or other external influence that would limit the City’s ability to divert water from the Russian River and/or Dry Creek.
Dry Year Characterization
The “subsequent dry year” will be characterized by normal supply in January through March, then 112 gallons per capita per day from April through November, then normal supply in December. This characterization conservatively models the condition of ample stream flow during the rainy season, and curtailment of normal water rights in the dry season.
Infrastructure Considerations
Included with the Annual Assessment, City staff will review capital improvement projects, maintenance projects, conditions of well field equipment, condition of treatment facilities, water storage facilities, and other related equipment that could limit the City’s ability to produce and treat water. Any identified limitation shall be quantified as to its effect on monthly water production (MG) and daily peak production (CFS).
Other Factors
Other factors that could affect the City’s ability to produce and treat drinking water for the community include potential toxic spills in Dry Creek or the Russian River, natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides or wildfires, regional power outages, staffing levels, and funding of preventative maintenance and capital improvement projects. Each year, staff will make an assessment of how other internal and external influences may affect the water supply for the City.
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70 8.3 Six Standard Water Shortage Levels
Water Suppliers must include the six standard water shortage levels that represent shortages from normal water supply levels. The shortage levels have been standardized to provide a consistent regional and statewide approach to conveying the relative severity of water supply shortage conditions.
The shortage levels are described in Submittal Table 8-1, shown below. Appropriate shortage levels will be declared by City Council as deemed necessary due to drought or catastrophic events, based on supply and demand analysis completed by City staff.
Table 8-1: Cross-reference for Standard vs Supplier Shortage Levels X Supplier uses the Standard Six Levels of Water Shortage.
Standard
Shortage
Level
Percent
Shortage
Range
Suppliers Shortage Levels Percent Shortage Range
0 0% (normal)
1 Up to 10%
1 Up to 10%
2 Up to 20%
2 Up to 20%
3 Up to 30%
3 Up to 30%
4 Up to 40%
4 Up to 40%
5 Up to 50%
5 Up to 50%
6 >50% 6 >50%
The City has added a Level 0 Normal Conditions, which includes water conservation and prohibitions of wasteful water activities at all times, including normal conditions.
8.4 Shortage Response Actions
The City is required to identify shortage response actions that align with the defined shortage levels and include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(A) Locally appropriate supply augmentation actions.
(B) Locally appropriate demand reduction actions to adequately respond to shortages.
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71 (C) Locally appropriate operational changes.
(D) Additional, mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices that are in addition to state-mandated prohibitions and appropriate to the local conditions. (E) For each action, an estimate of the extent to which the gap between supplies and demand will be reduced by implementation of the action.
8.4.1 Supply Augmentation
The City is working to increase and diversify the City’s long-term water supply primarily through the development of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells to help to mitigate the need for declaring a Shortage Level.
The City has also recently renewed its Purchased Water Agreement with Sonoma Water. This agreement allows the City to purchase water rights from Sonoma Water, sourced from Lake Mendocino or Lake Sonoma, when City water rights are not available. The City is working with Sonoma Water to increase the limits on the volume of water to provide a source of water sufficient for the highest-use months, should supply from any of the City’s existing water rights be diminished.
Submittal Table 8-2 below shows the supply augmentation by shortage level available to the City.
The same actions would be taken to augment retail and wholesale supply.
Table 8-2: Supply Augmentation and Other Actions
Shortage
Level
Supply Augmentation
Methods and Other
Actions by Water
Supplier
How much is this going to
reduce the shortage gap?
Additional Explanation
or Reference
0-6 ASR Wells
60 MG per year; store surface
water during plentiful periods,
withdraw during surface water
scarcity
Applying for grant funding
to begin project
1 New Recycled Water
Use Requirements
Can offset potable water
usage by additional 4 MG per
year
Requirement to use
recycled water for
construction purposes
and residential irrigation
activities that are not
prohibited if using
recycled water instead of
potable water
1 Other Purchases 154 MG
Acquire emergency dry
year supply under
Purchased Water
Agreement with Sonoma
Water
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72 8.4.2 Demand Reduction
There are several demand reduction measures the City can implement as response actions to address shortage levels. Some of these include public education and outreach campaigns, irrigation and other outdoor use restrictions, and rate structures. Other demand reduction actions, such as infrastructure improvements or installation of water-efficient appliances and fixtures would be implemented over a longer-term and may not be appropriate as an immediate WSCP response action.
For the City of Healdsburg, the largest water savings come from irrigation reductions. A portion of the Municipal Recycled Water Pipeline was completed in 2025 and offsets the use of potable water for irrigation of municipal turf. The City’s water shortage contingency plan further relies heavily on reducing irrigation, especially for non-functional / ornamental plantings and landscapes. Other methods for water conservation will still be employed but result in lower overall reductions in usage.
To address new State-wide water regulations, the City has added a Level 0 Normal Conditions, which includes water conservation and prohibitions of substantial wasteful water activities at all times, including normal conditions. Most notably the new Level 0 includes the State's phased-in prohibition of potable water irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, institutional, and industrial properties, as well as common areas of homeowner's associations. The actions included in Level 0 may mitigate the need for declaring water supply shortages.
Submittal Table 8-3, as shown below, summarizes the specific actions included within each Shortage Level. These actions are targeted at the retail supply and demand.
Water conservation stages and the requirements will also be communicated to the City’s wholesale water purchaser, and the City will coordinate with the wholesale water purchaser to ensure that it is achieving similar reductions to those of a declared water conservation stage. The WSCP is intended as a planning document and is not intended to modify any existing agreements, rate provisions, or service obligations between the City and County for the service to CSA 41/Fitch Mountain that is provided under the long-standing wholesale arrangement between the City and County, including the historic water-rights context associated with that service area.
Table 8-3: Demand Reduction Actions
Shortage
Level
Demand
Reduction Actions
How much is
this going to
reduce the
shortage gap?
(Percentage)
Additional Explanation or Reference
Penalty,
Charge, or
Other
Enforcement?
0 Landscape -
Prohibit certain
types of landscape
irrigation
0 California’s Assembly Bill 1572, Potable
water: nonfunctional turf
Yes
0 Other - Customers
must repair leaks,
breaks, and
0 Correct and repair large breaks or leaks
within 72 hours (e.g., over 100 gallons)
Yes
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73 malfunctions in a
timely manner
0 Landscape -
Restrict or prohibit
runoff from
landscape
irrigation
0 Correct and repair irrigation systems causing
more than incidental water runoff
Yes
0 Expand Public
Information
Campaign
0 (Encouraged) Utilize City and other sources
of water conservation information
No
0 Provide Rebates
on Plumbing
Fixtures and
Devices
0 (Encouraged) Utilize conservation programs No
0 Provide Rebates
for Landscape
Irrigation
Efficiency
0 (Encouraged) Utilize conservation programs No
0 Provide Rebates
for Turf
Replacement
0 (Encouraged) Utilize conservation programs No
1 Other 10 All Stage 0 items Yes
1 Landscape - Limit
landscape
irrigation to
specific times
10 Outdoor watering limited to overnight Yes
1 Landscape -
Restrict or prohibit
runoff from
landscape
irrigation
10 Inspect and repair irrigation systems Yes
1 Landscape - Other
landscape
restrictions or
prohibition
10 Do not water within 48 hours after rainfall Yes
1 Other - Prohibit
use of potable
water for washing
hard surfaces
10 No washing of hard surfaces (e.g.,
sidewalks, driveways, walls, fences), except
as needed for public health and safety
Yes
1 Other - Prohibit
use of potable
water for
construction and
dust control
10 Only recycled water for construction
purposes
Yes
1 Other - Require
automatic shut of
hoses
10 If washing vehicle at home, must use hose
with auto shut-off nozzle
Yes
1 Other - Customers
must repair leaks,
breaks, and
malfunctions in a
timely manner
10 Correct and repair moderate breaks or leaks
within 72 hours (e.g. 50 gallons or easily
accessible)
Yes
2 Other 20 All items from previous stages Yes
2 Other water
feature or
20 Halt permits for new pools, except if water
sourced from elsewhere
Yes
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74 swimming pool
restriction
2 Pools - Allow filling
of swimming pools
only when an
appropriate cover
is in place.
20 No refilling existing pools, except to prevent
damage; Pools must use cover
Yes
2 Other 20 Prohibit any other uses determined to be
nonessential
Yes
2 CII - Other CII
restrictions or
prohibition
20 Commercial car washes must reduce usage
by 20%
Yes
2 Landscape - Limit
landscape
irrigation to
specific days
20 Irrigation no more than 3 days per week Yes
2 CII - Other CII
restrictions or
prohibition
20 Nonresidential customers must reduce usage
by 20%
Yes
2 CII - Lodging
establishment
must offer opt out
of linen service
20 Hotels must post water conservation
signage that washing of linens available only
upon request
Yes
2 CII - Restaurants
may only serve
water upon
request
20 Restaurants only serve water upon request Yes
2 Other - Customers
must repair leaks,
breaks, and
malfunctions in a
timely manner
20 Correct and repair all breaks or leaks within
72 hours
Yes
2 Implement or
Modify Drought
Rate Structure or
Surcharge
20 Water shortage surcharges implemented,
consistent with the adopted water rates
Yes
3 Other 30 All items from previous stages Yes
3 Landscape - Limit
landscape
irrigation to
specific days
30 Irrigation no more than 2 days per week Yes
3 Landscape - Other
landscape
restrictions or
prohibition
30 No new landscaping, except drought-tolerant Yes
3 Landscape - Other
landscape
restrictions or
prohibition
30 No new plantings of annual plants Yes
3 CII - Other CII
restrictions or
prohibition
30 Nonresidential customers must reduce usage
by 30%
Yes
3 Other 30 Residential water budget of 4 HCF per
person per month (99 gallons per person per
day)
Yes
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75 4 Other 40 All items from previous stages Yes
4 Water Features -
Restrict water use
for decorative
water features,
such as fountains
40 No use of decorative water features Yes
4 CII - Other CII
restrictions or
prohibition
40 Nonresidential customers must reduce usage
by 40%
Yes
4 Other 40 Residential water budget of 3 HCF per
person per month (74 gallons per person per
day)
Yes
4 Landscape -
Prohibit certain
types of landscape
irrigation
40 No irrigation using overhead or spray
sprinklers
Yes
4 Landscape -
Prohibit certain
types of landscape
irrigation
40 No irrigation of nonfunctional turf Yes
4 Landscape - Other
landscape
restrictions or
prohibition
40 No new vegetable gardens Yes
5 Other 50 All items from previous stages Yes
5 Landscape -
Prohibit all
landscape
irrigation
50 No outdoor irrigation using potable water Yes
5 CII - Other CII
restrictions or
prohibition
50 Nonresidential customers must reduce usage
by 50%
Yes
5 Other 50 Residential water budget of 2 HCF per
person per month (50 gallons per person per
day)
Yes
5 Moratorium or Net
Zero Demand
Increase on New
Connections
50 New construction must offset new demand
by a ratio of one to one
Yes
6 Other 60 All items from previous stages Yes
6 CII - Other CII
restrictions or
prohibition
60 Nonresidential customers must reduce usage
by 60%
Yes
6 Other 60 Residential water budget of 1.5 HCF per
person per month (40 gallons per person per
day)
Yes
6 Moratorium or Net
Zero Demand
Increase on New
Connections
60 New construction must offset new demand
by a ratio of two to one
Yes
The reductions shown are the combined reductions for all the actions associated with the particular shortage level. Reduction percentage of 0% has been selected for all actions included in Level 0 Normal Conditions; however, it is reasonable to assume that implementation of a Level 0 will result in water savings.
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76 8.4.3 Operational Changes
For the City of Healdsburg operational changes in response to a Shortage Level for a noncatastrophic water shortage may include, but are not limited to:
• Improved monitoring, analysis, and tracking of customer water usage:
o The City can monitor, analyze and track monthly billing usage with relative ease to compare month-to-month and annual usage patterns City-wide. The City is exploring Meter Data Management System and Customer Portal options to leverage existing remote read water meters and provide daily usage information to water customers.
This software would also provide early detection of leaks, high usage, and above average usage.
o In 2022, the City established a water shortage surcharge in compliance with Proposition 218 to reduce the financial impacts associated with reduced water sales and increases in operating costs during a drought event. The surcharge goes into effect in Shortage Level 2 and increases with each Shortage Level. • Alterations in maintenance cycles and plans to expedite infrastructure repairs and improve system efficiency:
o Through the annual water loss audit, the City tracks the overall efficiency of the water distribution system and the amount of water lost to system leaks. The City also provides a 24-hour emergency response hotline for customers to call in leaks at any time of the day or night.
• Adjust timing of system flushing for water quality needs to winter months:
o To conserve water during the summer season, a period most likely to result in water shortages, City staff will defer flushing of lines for water quality needs (when possible) until supplies have sufficiently recovered. Where possible, City staff have implemented the collection of water used for flushing such that it can be used for landscape irrigation or other non-potable beneficial uses of water.
8.4.4 Additional Mandatory Restrictions
Implementation of mandatory restrictions can be an effective but unpopular method for reducing customer usage because it is associated with enforcement actions and penalties.
When forecasted demand exceeds the available water supply, Healdsburg will implement an appropriate level of mandatory restrictions. These restrictions will follow the City’s WSCP ordinance but may be adjusted by Council upon the recommendation of the City Engineer or Public Works Director. To counter negative impacts of mandatory restrictions, the City will enhance promotion of water conservation programs, depending on funding availability. Certain wasteful water activities will be prohibited in Level 0 at all times, partially due to new State water regulations that implement mandatory restrictions on certain potable water uses for certain types of properties.
8.4.5 Emergency Response Plan
Catastrophic water shortages limiting supplies can be addressed by implementing the appropriate stage of water conservation. For catastrophic water shortage conditions, and depending on the scale of the event, the City may have sufficient facilities and infrastructure to reroute around a temporary disruption.
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77 The City of Healdsburg has completed both a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and an Emergency Operations Plan. These two documents guide the City through catastrophic events and can be found at https://healdsburg.gov/1045/Plans. The City also has a water specific emergency response plan document. In the event of a supply emergency, the City would implement its WSCP and increase public awareness to the water supply situation as appropriate for the situation.
Major risks associated with the City of Healdsburg’s water system are listed in the table below.
Table 8-4: Emergency Action Summary
mmCatastrophe / Emergency Action Summary
Structure Fires Monitor water storage and water production to meet demands.
Wildfires Monitor fire progression and potential to damage water infrastructure, monitor storage levels and increased use of sprinkler systems.
Power Outage or PSPS Maintain fleet of backup generators and monitor fuel levels throughout outage.
Flooding Monitor river levels and potential to inundate water facilities such as the Gauntlett Well field.
Drought Monitor available water supplies and implement conservation as needed.
Earthquake Inspect system and isolate breaks to prevent water loss.
Monitor water quality and potential for boil notices.
Toxic Spills Switch water production to a source not affected by the spill.
Monitor storage levels and work with state and regional entities to identify when safe to return to normal supply sources.
8.4.6 Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan
Per CWC Section 10632.5, suppliers are required to assess seismic risk to water supplies as part of their WSCP. In addition, the WSCP must include the mitigation plan for seismic risk (i.e., earthquakes).
Due to the nearby Rodgers Creek fault, Healdsburg’s water facilities (source water, treatment plant, storage, and distribution system) are exposed to the seismic risk. As with other areas of California, this risk is substantial and full mitigation is not feasible. To manage the risk of earthquakes and other catastrophes, the City maintains a level of redundance with its facilities. Additionally, the City maintains a membership in CalWARN to supply mutual aid should a large event affect the City.
The City of Healdsburg maintains a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). This plan identifies specific hazards that could affect the City of Healdsburg. Included in this plan is a detailed discussion of seismic hazards including the negative effects of ground shaking and liquefaction.
Like many other communities, during a significant earthquake event Healdsburg could face substantial damage, injury or loss of life, interruptions to critical services, and other major challenges.
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78 8.4.7 Shortage Response Action Effectiveness
Table 8-2 summarizes the City’s water shortage response actions with their estimated water reductions for each Shortage Level. For each specific Shortage Response Action identified in the plan, the City is confident that the combination of actions within each Shortage Level will reduce the gap between supplies and demands to the extent necessary to address the shortage.
Healdsburg has estimated percentage savings for shortage response actions based on the effectiveness of the shortage response actions in previous droughts. These estimates can help inform which measures will deliver the necessary outcomes to meet given shortage level requirements.
During water shortages, the City can track usage through the monitoring of production wells and storage levels, as well as individual customers meters, to help the City determine the level of conservation being achieved and if adjustments are necessary.
8.5 Communication Protocols
Timely and effective communication is a key element of the WSCP implementation. In the context of water shortage response, the purpose may be an immediate emergency water shortage situation (e.g., earthquake, fires, infrastructure failures) or a longer‐term emergency shortage condition (e.g., droughts).
In an immediate emergency, the City will activate the communication protocol detailed in the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
Communications regarding water shortage and conservation efforts will be sent to customers via City website, social media, phone call/text message, and/or email. The City will also reach out to local media and use the City’s website to post updated information regarding the current event and what response, if any, is needed from the public. During more prolonged events such as drought, the City will create a constant social media presence and FAQ webpage to continue to inform and remind customers of requirements necessary to conserve available water supplies. This may also include the use of print media through bill inserts and direct mailers, as well as newsletters.
Education and outreach campaigns will primarily help to inform customers of the level of conservation needed and methods they can use to reach these conservation goals. The City would increase media attention to the water supply limitations and would encourage property owners to plan for landscape conversions and the replacement of low-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances with higher-efficiency fixtures and appliances.
Healdsburg’s Utility Conservation Analyst will develop and lead public information and outreach efforts in close coordination with the City’s Public Works Director. Where appropriate, the City will coordinate with the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership to develop and implement communications. Customer outreach is required to successfully achieve targeted water savings during each shortage level and will include the above-mentioned actions, as well as other communication methods that may be appropriate for the specific situation.
8.6 Compliance and Enforcement
Per CWC Section 10632(a)(6), Healdsburg has defined customer compliance, enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures for triggered shortage response actions. Communication procedures to ensure customer compliance are described in Section 8.5 and customer enforcement, appeal, and exemption procedures are defined in the Healdsburg Municipal Code, Section 1.12, and Section 13.12.220.
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79 To gain compliance with the need for conservation levels, the City will employ several techniques. This includes education and outreach as noted in Section 8.5, as well as routine patrols to observe water use, monitoring of customer usage through automated meter readings, monitoring of overall system usage, responding to wasting water complaints from residents, and other measures as necessary for the situation.
If compliance is not gained, fines or loss of water privileges could occur.
When mandatory water conservation is imposed by the City Council, violations of the water use restrictions and prohibitions shall be enforced consistent with City Policies and Codes and generally as outlined below:
1. For the first such violation, the customer shall be given a warning, generally by phone or by mail informing the customer of the problem and asking that it be corrected.
2. If the violation continues or is repeated, the City will send Healdsburg’s Enforcement Officer or mail an enforcement letter to the customer who receives the water bill. The Enforcement Officer or mailed letter will describe the violation and request that it be corrected, cured, and abated immediately or within such specified time as reasonable under the circumstances. Said letter shall state the consequences of noncompliance with the request.
3. If the violation continues, the City’s may impose any penalty or pursue enforcement action pursuant as allowed by Healdsburg Municipal Code.
8.7 Legal Authorities
Per CWC Section 10632 (a)(7), Healdsburg must include a description of the legal authorities that empower the City to implement and enforce its shortage response actions, a statement that the City shall declare a water shortage emergency, and a statement that the City shall coordinate with any other city or county within which it provides water supply services for the possible proclamation of a local emergency.
8.7.1 Legal Authorities
Healdsburg City Council has the legal authority to adopt local ordinances, such as the WSCP. As allowed by Healdsburg’s Municipal Code (HMC), the City Council can enact, and will enact as the need arises, water conservation stages within HMC section 13.12.220 to implement mandatory water conservation measures as necessary to reduce water demand to or below available water supplies. These mandatory conservation measures can be enforced through HMC Section 1.12 which includes monetary fines or potentially the loss of water service.
8.7.2 Declaration of Water Shortage
Based on the Water Supply Reliability Analysis, or as needed, City Council by resolution shall declare a water shortage emergency and the water conservation stage of the WSCP to be implemented.
8.7.3 Proclamation of Local Emergency
If a regional event occurs, such as a drought or flood, the City shall coordinate with any city or county within which it provides water supply services for the possible proclamation of a local emergency. Healdsburg is a member of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and routinely coordinates with Sonoma Water.
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80 8.8 Financial Consequences of a WSCP
Per CWC Section 10632(a)(8), Healdsburg must include a description of the financial consequences of, and responses for, drought conditions.
8.8.1 Financial Impacts and Mitigation Action
During times of short duration supply loss and conservation measures no significant financial consequence is expected. During times of longer duration supply limitation and mandatory conservation measures, the City expects that moderate to significant financial consequences could occur. These impacts are primarily due to the City’s existing rate structure, which relies predominantly on volumetric (per-unit) charges rather than fixed charges to recover ongoing, nonvolumetric costs. Under such conditions, revenue losses could reach up to 50 percent of annual water revenues. During water shortages, the City may also experience increased staff costs for tracking, reporting, and enforcement, as well as higher than average participation in water conservation rebate programs. Additionally, years following mandatory conservation also show a tendency to result in below average usage and lower water sale revenues. While long-term conservation gained during droughts is beneficial, changes to rate structures may be necessary to maintain adequate cost recovery to maintain regulatory compliance and system reliability.
In 2022, the City established a water shortage surcharge in compliance with Proposition 218 to reduce the financial impacts associated with reduced water sales and increases in operating costs during a drought event.. The surcharge begins in Stage 2 and increases with each subsequent Stage.
8.8.2 Reporting Cost of Compliance with Excessive Water use Prohibition During Drought Emergency
The CWC requires retail suppliers to report on the costs of compliance with implementing CW Section 366, which requires that retail suppliers prohibit excessive water use from individuallymetered or sub-metered residential customers.
In 2024, the City adopted updated water rates based on a cost-of-service study in compliance with Proposition 218. The City’s rate structure includes tiered residential charges that are applied under all supply conditions. Because this structure is part of the City’s standard billing framework and is not designed as a penalty for excessive use, it does not result in significant additional costs associated with compliance with excessive water use prohibitions.
Compliance with excessive water use restrictions is implemented through administrative measures, including monitoring, customer outreach, and, if necessary, enforcement actions.
During declared Shortage Level 2 or higher, a water shortage surcharge is implemented, which increases billing and customer service efforts.
During certain Shortage Levels, the Utility Conservation Analyst, may also monitor individual residential customer accounts and perform individual outreach if usage appears excessive. This could increase the water conservation staff time by up to 10%, depending on the Shortage Level and outreach activities.
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81 8.9 Monitoring and Reporting
Per CWC Section 10632(a)(9), Healdsburg must provide a description of the monitoring and reporting requirements and procedures that have been implemented to ensure appropriate data is collected, tracked, and analyzed for purposes of monitoring customer compliance and to meet state reporting requirements.
Through the City’s System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, water production figures are tracked daily. This data is used to measure the effectiveness of any water shortage contingency level that may be implemented. Water billing data is also compiled monthly. The City, through remote read meters, can also track individual water usage to ensure compliance with mandatory conservation measures.
The State Water Board requires monthly and annual reporting in the SAFER system. The City will use both production well field data and monthly utility billing data based on customer meters to fulfill these requirements.
8.10 WSCP Refinement Procedures
Per CWC Section 10632(a)(10), Healdsburg must provide a description of the reevaluation and improvement procedures for systematically monitoring and evaluating the functionality of the water shortage contingency plan in order to ensure shortage risk tolerance is adequate and appropriate water shortage mitigation strategies are implemented as needed. Using the analysis provided from monitoring water savings, the City can develop more efficient demand reduction requirements for each WSCP stage.
Additionally, the City can monitor if certain response actions were unclear to customers or presented unforeseen burdens on customers.
Healdsburg’s WSCP and HMC are dynamic tools to implement water-saving measures when the need arises. The City Manager and City Engineer can make recommendations for the City Council to adopt, adjust, change, or add to existing mandatory water conservation stages. Through City outreach and education programs, customers will be notified of any changes to mandatory water conservation measures.
8.11 Special Water Feature Distinction
Per CWC Section 10632(b), swimming pools and spas must be analyzed and defined separately from other water features in the WSCP. In the Healdsburg WSCP, response actions pertaining to swimming pools and spas state so specifically. Response actions that pertain to any other non-pool or non-spa water features (such as ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and fountains), use terminology with clear distinction, such as decorative water features and ornamental fountains.
8.12 Plan Adoption, Submittal, Availability, and Amendment Procedures
Per CWC Section 10632(c), the WCSP will be posted no later than 30 days after adoption. To fulfill this requirement, the City will post the adopted version of the WSCP to the City’s website following the second public hearing for the WSCP ordinance.
If the WSCP is amended prior to the 2030 UWMP, following appropriate local and state rules for ordinance amendments, the City will submit a copy of the revised WSCP to the DWR no later than 30 days after adoption, and will post the revised version on the City website.
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82 9. Demand Management Measures
Per CWC 10631, the City must provide a description of the water demand management measures. Demand management measures (DMMs) are water conservation measures, which may sometimes also be referred to as best management practices (BMPs).
9.1 Demand Management Measures for Retail Agencies
The purpose of this section is to provide a comprehensive description of the City’s current and future water conservation and how it corresponds to the water use reduction plan meant to ensure ample water supply.
Water conservation measures are reported under the following six DMM categories:
• Water waste prevention ordinances
• Metering
• Conservation pricing
• Public education and outreach
• Programs to assess and manage distribution system real loss • Water conservation program coordination and staffing support • Other demand management measures that have a significant impact on water use as measured in gallons per capita per day (GPCD), including innovative measures
9.1.1 Implementation Over the Past Five Years
Water suppliers are required to provide a narrative description addressing the nature and extent of each DMM implemented over the past 5 years.
In 2015, the City implemented a robust water conservation program and rebate portfolio, which has continued through 2025. The City is also a member of both the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and the California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP).
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83 Table 9-1: Water Conservation Rebate Results 2021-2025 Water Saving
Measure
2021
Rebates 2022 Rebates 2023 Rebates
2024
Rebates
2025
Rebates
Notes
Lawn
Conversion 24 53 29 13 11
High Efficiency
Toilets 138 210 9 1 0
Efficiency
requirement
increased
from 1.28
gpf to 0.8
gpf after
drought
Clothes
Washers 24 17 7 8 0
Water rebate
discontinued
after
drought,
Energy
rebate
continues
Irrigation
Upgrades /
Irrigation
Controllers
7 6 3 11 5
Rainwater
Capture
Systems
0 6 14 8 0
Grantfunded
program
2022-2024
Hose Nozzles 0 0 192 200 0
Giveaway
item;
Giveaway
buckets with
multiple
items also
provided
during
drought
Custom Flow
Controllers 126 389 48 0 0
Custom flow
controllers
for showers
and sinks,
upstream of
aerators
Smart Water
Metering
Device
397 16 0 0 0
Discontinued
after drought
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84 9.1.2 Implementation to Achieve Water-Use Targets
The City has met its 2020 water use target and water usage remained 16% below the 2017-2019 average in 2025. Water usage has rebounded slightly since the multi-year drought in the early 2020s; however, reduced water usage has continued through implementation of water conservation programs and customer behaviors.
The City will continue to implement DMMs, as well as implement the required actions outlined in the State’s Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life regulation and the State’s Nonfunctional Turf regulation.
9.1.3 Required Demand Management Measures
This section describes the City’s activities for each of the DMM categories.
9.1.3.1 Water-Waste Prevention Ordinances
In accordance with the 2025 UWMP, the WSCP ordinance includes 6 water shortage levels. The updated WSCP also includes a new Shortage Level 0 for substantial wasteful water activities that will be prohibited at all times, including normal conditions, such as the State’s Nonfunctional Turf regulation.
9.1.3.2 Metering
The City’s water system is fully metered, including production, consumption, and sales to the County for the Fitch Mountain Water District. Metering is essential for water conservation as it allows for water customers to be billed for the volume of water consumed rather than a flat rate, which incentivizes water efficiency. Metering also allows for tracking water use by sector and individual accounts, which allows for better evaluation of water conservation programs.
All the City’s water accounts are metered, and water bills include a volumetric component. In 2005, the City began implementing a $2 million meter and pipe replacement program. This effort for meter replacement was initiated because the meter inventory was old and no longer measuring water use accurately. Because failing meters tend to err on the side of under-measuring water consumed, inaccurate meters contribute to the volume of water perceived as water loss and cause a loss of revenue to the City and potential waste of water. The City reviews individual accounts for water use to search for accounts that have unusually low water use characteristic for the type of account. The meters on those accounts are prioritized for meter inspection, and replacement if appropriate. The City is encouraged to develop a meter testing program to verify the accuracy of the meters and if needed develop a meter replacement program should accuracy testing indicate the need.
In 2014, the City began installing Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) which allows water meters to be read at least once a day instead of once a month. This provides a more granular level of water use data, which is helpful in identifying water use behavior and patterns, conservation potentials, and leaks. The City is encouraged to implement a Meter Data Management System and Customer Portal to leverage existing remote read water meters and provide daily usage information to water customers, as well as provide early detection of leaks, high usage, and above average usage.
9.1.3.3 Conservation Pricing
Conservation pricing is a rate structure for water and sewer rates designed to recover the cost of providing service based on volume of use rather than a flat rate charged irrespective of volume used. A conservation pricing structure is always in place and is not dependent upon a water shortage for implementation.
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85 The City’s rate structure includes both a flat fee per account, charged each billing cycle regardless of volume of water used, and a volumetric charge for water used during the same billing cycle. In 2024, the City adopted updated water rates based on a cost of service study in compliance with Proposition 218. The City’s rate structure includes tiered residential charges that are applied under all supply conditions as part of the Cit’s standard billing framework. If Shortage Level 2 or higher is declared, then a water shortage surcharge is implemented.
The City’s rate structure meets the requirements of conservation pricing because of the volumetric charge; customers will pay less if they use less water.
9.1.3.4 Public Education and Outreach
In 2015, the City of Healdsburg’s Utility Department created the Smart Living Healdsburg program umbrella which provides customers with information, opportunities, and incentives to help them use their utilities efficiently and effectively. The water conservation section of the Smart Living Healdsburg webpage provides information about mandatory water conservation measures, indoor and outdoor water conservation tips, water saving rebate programs and applications, and other resources.
On a monthly basis, the City develops and disseminates marketing material about water conservation programs to customers. This includes social media, newsletters, flyers, advertisements, booths at community events, utility billing inserts, and the annual water quality report. The City is also a member of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and coordinates public education and outreach with the Partnership.
9.1.3.5 Programs to Assess and Manage Distribution System Real Loss To implement this DMM, water suppliers should annually calculate the percentage of water lost from the water distribution system and, if that loss is greater than 10% or the State-identified target, conduct a water system leak audit and repair the leaks found, as feasible. Additionally, the water supplier should evaluate real water loss (system leaks), versus apparent water loss, (water consumed by customers that is not accurately metered or accounted for in the supplier’s water billing system). A water system leak audit indicating a low level of leaks signals inaccurate metering or accounting.
Starting in 2005, the City implemented a $2 million meter and pipe replacement program. The primary goal for this program was to significantly reduce the percentage of apparent water loss in the distribution system (23% in 2005). This apparent water loss reduction program has been highly successful; since implementation of this program, the percent of water loss decreased significantly with only 5% in 2024. The real water loss for these periods may differ slightly due to differences in the billing and production data time periods. If apparent losses increase, the City should consider developing a program for testing customer meters to ensure older meters are capturing all consumption.
The City has been conducting water loss audits since 2015. Historically, the audits indicate that the water losses average approximately 5 percent of water distributed. The water loss target is 11.9 gallons per connection per day (gpcpd) with a 5 gpcpd allowance. The City has met the target until 2025, and will be in compliance with the allowance applied, In 2020, the City replaced a leaky wood tank with a water-tight glass-lined steel take. Additionally, the City is undergoing a system-wide project to replace old water mains while constructing a water supply “backbone” for fire flow needs. This effort has focused on the more leak-prone areas of the Item 6.j
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86 City. Along with the main replacements, the City has also implemented a computerized maintenance management system for linear assets, which should result in lowering water losses.
9.1.3.6 Water Conservation Program Coordination and Staffing Support In 2014, the City Council approved the addition of a Utility Conservation Analyst staff position, whose duties include water conservation program development, implementation, and marketing.
The full-time employee position spends approximately 40 percent of their time supporting the water conservation program.
In addition, other City Staff provide program support through water waste monitoring, rebate processing, lawn conversion inspections, customer coordination and education, and other tasks.
This additional support is equal to approximately 10 percent a full-time equivalent (FTE) employee.
The Utility Conservation Analyst can be contacted at [email protected] or 707.431.3122.
9.1.3.7 Other Demand Management Measures
This section is dedicated to other DMMs that have a significant impact on water use as measured in gallons per capita per day (GPCD), including innovative measures.
The City has a robust portfolio of water conservation rebate programs. These include programs that are managed by the City, as well as regional programs that are managed by the SonomaMarin Saving Water Partnership.
The following programs are managed by the City:
• Free water saving items
• High-Efficiency Toilet/Urinal Rebate
• High-Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate
• Lawn Conversion Rebate
• Irrigation Controller Rebate
• Greywater System Rebate
• Rainwater Capture Rebate (2022-2024 grant funding, no longer offered) • Smart Water Metering Device (discontinued following the drought) • Custom Hot Water Saving Rebate
• Recycled Water Kiosks (3 locations, at no cost to the user for self-hauling) The following programs are managed by the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership:
• Water Smart Plant Picker
• Water Smart Plant Label
• Eco-Friendly Garden Tour
• Water Smart Landscape Design Templates
• Water Smart Gardens Maintenance Manual
• GardenSense consultations
• Irrigation Scheduling Tool
• Energy and Water Saving Do-It-Yourself Toolkit
• Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper
The City has also adopted a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The City’s ordinance promotes the efficient design and installation of water-efficient landscapes in Healdsburg for new construction and substantial alterations of existing development where landscapes are proposed.
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87 Adoption of the latest State building code requirements also ensures that new development is built to higher efficiency standards than in the past.
The City also offers the option of installing dedicated irrigation meters to customers to better track their outdoor irrigation needs versus indoor water needs. The City will continue to evaluate and enhance the use of dedicated irrigation meters or similar technologies, as required by the State’s Making Water Conservation A California Way of Life regulation.
9.2 Demand Management Measures for Wholesale Suppliers
The City provides wholesale water to the County for Fitch Mountain. The wholesale water provided is fully metered. Residents of Fitch Mountain benefit from the public education and outreach provided by the City. However, the City’s rebate programs are only offered to the City’s retail water customers. Residents of Fitch Mountain may participate in other County-wide programs, which the City promotes via its communication protocols.
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88 10. Plan Adoption, Submittal, and
Implementation
This chapter details the process of soliciting input from public and private entities regarding this Plan, and includes information regarding public hearings, plan adoption, and submittal to the DWR and other agencies for approval and implementation.
10.1 Inclusion of All 2025 Data
For reporting of water use and supply information, data for the entire calendar year of 2025 was included in this Plan.
10.2 Notice of Public Hearing
A notice of public hearing will be published in the Healdsburg Tribune on May 14, 2026 and May 21, 2026.
10.2.1 Notice to Cities and County
A notice of public hearing of revisions was sent to the County of Sonoma and Sonoma Water on April 20, 2026.
10.2.2 Notice to the Public
The City hosted a community meeting to review the preliminary results of the 2025 UWMP, receive feedback and answer questions. The meeting was held on May 6, 2026 and had approximately 20 attendees.
10.3 Public Hearing and Adoption
The City invited public involvement and input in the Plan update via a public workshop, an online survey, a public hearing and review/comment of the draft document.
Public hearing notifications were published in the Healdsburg Tribune on May 14, 2026 and May 21, 2026.
Copies of the published notices are included in Appendix A. In addition, Sonoma County was contacted directly by email to inform the appropriate contacts of the hearing location and time.
Table 10-1. Notification to Cities and Counties
City Name 60 Day Notice Notice of Public Hearing
County of Sonoma Yes Yes
The public hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 1, 2026. The hearing provided opportunity for the public to learn and ask questions regarding the quantity, reliability, and quality of their water supply. A hard copy of the draft Plan was available for review at City Hall, and an electronic version was available for review on the City website 14 days prior to the hearing.
Plan Submittal
After the Plan is adopted, it will be submitted to the Department of Water Resources. Additional copies of the Plan were also sent to the California State Library as well as the County of Sonoma.
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89 Public Availability
The Final 2025 Plan will be available for review on the City Website at the following link:
http://cityofhealdsburg.org/622/Urban-Water-Management-Plan. The 2025 Plan is also available in hard copy form at City Hall for public review upon request.
Amending an Adopted UWMP
If the City amends the Plan after it has been adopted, the amendments will be made available for public review prior to adoption. Amendments to the Plan will be publicly noticed and presented at a public hearing
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91 APPENDIX A – 2021 Water Loss Audit Form
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Water Audit Report for:
Reporting Year:
All volumes to be entered as: MILLION GALLONS (US) PER YEAR Master Meter and Supply Error Adjustments
WATER SUPPLIED Pcnt: Value:
Volume from own sources: 5 462.610 MG/Yr 3 -3.00% MG/Yr Water imported: n/a 0.000 MG/Yr MG/Yr
Water exported: n/a 0.000 MG/Yr MG/Yr
Enter negative % or value for under-registration
WATER SUPPLIED: 476.918 MG/Yr Enter positive % or value for over-registration .
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
Billed metered: 5 441.019 MG/Yr
Billed unmetered: n/a MG/Yr
Unbilled metered: 9 0.030 MG/Yr Pcnt: Value:
Unbilled unmetered: 5 1.157 MG/Yr 1.25% MG/Yr
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION: 442.206 MG/Yr
WATER LOSSES (Water Supplied - Authorized Consumption) 34.712 MG/Yr Apparent Losses Pcnt: Value:
Unauthorized consumption: 5 1.128 MG/Yr 0.25% MG/Yr
Customer metering inaccuracies: 3 4.455 MG/Yr 1.00% MG/Yr Systematic data handling errors: 1.103 MG/Yr 0.25% MG/Yr Apparent Losses: 6.686 MG/Yr
Real Losses (Current Annual Real Losses or CARL)
Real Losses = Water Losses - Apparent Losses: 28.026 MG/Yr WATER LOSSES: 34.712 MG/Yr
NON-REVENUE WATER
NON-REVENUE WATER: 35.899 MG/Yr
= Water Losses + Unbilled Metered + Unbilled Unmetered
SYSTEM DATA
Length of mains: 5 67.6 miles
Number of active AND inactive service connections: 7 4,928 Service connection density: 73 conn./mile main
Yes
Average length of customer service line: ft
Average operating pressure: 5 44.0 psi
COST DATA
Total annual cost of operating water system: 10 $5,977,122 $/Year Customer retail unit cost (applied to Apparent Losses): 10 $5.51 Variable production cost (applied to Real Losses): 5 $502.02 $/Million gallons WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY SCORE:
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION:
1: Volume from own sources
2: Customer metering inaccuracies
3: Billed metered
Based on the information provided, audit accuracy can be improved by addressing the following components:
$/100 cubic feet (ccf)
*** YOUR SCORE IS: 60 out of 100 ***
A weighted scale for the components of consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score
1.128
Default option selected for Systematic data handling errors - a grading of 5 is applied but not displayed Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading score of 10 has been applied Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop or property line? AWWA Free Water Audit Software:
Reporting Worksheet
1.157
2021 1/2021 - 12/2021
City of Healdsburg (CA4910005)
<----------- Enter grading in column 'E' and 'J' ----------> ?
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? Click to access definition
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Please enter data in the white cells below. Where available, metered values should be used; if metered values are unavailable please estimate a value. Indicate your confidence in the accuracy of the input data by grading each component (n/a or 1-10) using the drop-down list to the left of the input cell. Hover the mouse over the cell to obtain a description of the grades ?
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(length of service line, beyond the property boundary,
that is the responsibility of the utility)
Use buttons to select
percentage of water supplied
OR
value
Click here: ?
for help using option
buttons below
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+
+ Click to add a comment
WAS v5.0
+
+
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American Water Works Association.
Copyright © 2014, All Rights Reserved.
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+
+
+
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+ Use Customer Retail Unit Cost to value real losses
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To select the correct data grading for each input, determine the highest grade where the utility meets or exceeds all criteria for that grade and all grades below it.
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v5.0 Reporting Worksheet 1 Item 6.j
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92 APPENDIX B – 2022 Water Loss Audit Form
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Water Audit Report for:
Audit Year:
All volumes to be entered as: MILLION GALLONS (US) PER YEAR WATER SUPPLIED choose entry option:
VOS Volume from Own Sources: n g 9 463.230 MG/Yr n g 8 0.09% percent MG/Yr under-registration VOSEA WI Water Imported: n g n/a MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WIEA WE Water Exported: n g n/a MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WEEA 463.656 MG/Yr
.
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
BMAC Billed Metered: n g 10 442.340 MG/Yr
BUAC Billed Unmetered: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr
UMAC Unbilled Metered: n g 10 0.030 MG/Yr choose entry option:
UUAC Unbilled Unmetered: n g 3 1.106 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unbilled Unmetered, with automatic data grading of 3 443.476 MG/Yr
WATER LOSSES 20.180 MG/Yr
Apparent Losses
Default option selected for Systematic Data Handling Errors, with automatic data grading of 3 choose entry option:
SDHE Systematic Data Handling Errors: n g 3 1.106 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr CMI Customer Metering Inaccuracies: n g 1 4.468 MG/Yr 1.00% percent MG/Yr under-registration UC Unauthorized Consumption: n g 3 1.106 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unauthorized Consumption, with automatic data grading of 3
6.680 MG/Yr
Real Losses
13.500 MG/Yr
20.180 MG/Yr
NON-REVENUE WATER
21.316 MG/Yr
SYSTEM DATA
Lm Length of mains: n g 10 66.3 miles (including fire hydrant lead lengths) Nc Number of service connections: n g 10 4,991 (active and inactive) Service connection density: 75 conn./mile main
Yes
Lp Average length of (private) customer service line: n g 10 ft (average distance between property line and meter) AOP Average Operating Pressure: n g 7 43.8 psi
COST DATA
CRUC Customer Retail Unit Charge: n g 7 $6.00
VPC Variable Production Cost: n g 8 $601.97 $/Million gallons $/yr (optional input) WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY TIER:
go to
dashboard
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION TO IMPROVE DATA VALIDITY: KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR TARGETS:
Based on the information provided, audit reliability can be most improved by addressing the following components: OPTIONAL: If targets exist for the operational performance indicators, they can be input below:
1: Customer Metering Inaccuracies (CMI) Unit Total Losses: 11.9 gal/conn/day 2: Volume from Own Sources (VOS) Unit Apparent Losses: 5.8 gal/conn/day 3: Unauthorized Consumption (UC) Unit Real LossesA
: gal/conn/day
Unit Real LossesB
: gal/mile/day
If entered above by user, targets will display on KPI gauges (see Dashboard) Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop/property line? AWWA Free Water Audit Software:
Worksheet
City of Healdsburg
Jan 01 2022 - Dec 31 2022
Water Supplied Error Adjustments
2022 Calendar
Real Losses:
WATER LOSSES:
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading of 10 has been applied A weighted scale for the components of supply, consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score *** The Water Audit Data Validity Score is in Tier IV (71-90). See Dashboard tab for additional outputs. *** $/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$7,018,462
Total Annual Operating Cost
go to start page
NON-REVENUE WATER:
If entering an
Error Adjustment,
select under- or overregistration
0.687
WATER SUPPLIED:
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION:
Apparent Losses:
Click 'g' to determine data validity grade
Click 'n' to add notes
FWAS v6.0
American Water Works Association.
To access definitions, click the input name
To edit water system info:
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v6.0 Worksheet 1
Item 6.j
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93 APPENDIX C – 2023 Water Loss Audit Form
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Water Audit Report for:
Audit Year:
All volumes to be entered as: MILLION GALLONS (US) PER YEAR WATER SUPPLIED choose entry option:
VOS Volume from Own Sources: n g 7 506.000 MG/Yr n g 8 0.24% percent MG/Yr under-registration VOSEA WI Water Imported: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WIEA WE Water Exported: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WEEA 507.217 MG/Yr
.
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
BMAC Billed Metered: n g 10 477.000 MG/Yr
BUAC Billed Unmetered: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr
UMAC Unbilled Metered: n g 10 0.030 MG/Yr choose entry option:
UUAC Unbilled Unmetered: n g 3 1.193 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unbilled Unmetered, with automatic data grading of 3 478.223 MG/Yr
WATER LOSSES 28.995 MG/Yr
Apparent Losses
Default option selected for Systematic Data Handling Errors, with automatic data grading of 3 choose entry option:
SDHE Systematic Data Handling Errors: n g 3 1.193 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr CMI Customer Metering Inaccuracies: n g 1 7.264 MG/Yr 1.50% percent MG/Yr under-registration UC Unauthorized Consumption: n g 3 1.193 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unauthorized Consumption, with automatic data grading of 3
9.649 MG/Yr
Real Losses
19.345 MG/Yr
28.995 MG/Yr
NON-REVENUE WATER
30.217 MG/Yr
SYSTEM DATA
Lm Length of mains: n g 6 65.6 miles (including fire hydrant lead lengths) Nc Number of service connections: n g 6 5,010 (active and inactive) Service connection density: 76 conn./mile main
Yes
Lp Average length of (private) customer service line: n g 10 ft (average distance between property line and meter) AOP Average Operating Pressure: n g 8 43.8 psi
COST DATA
CRUC Customer Retail Unit Charge: n g 7 $6.48
VPC Variable Production Cost: n g 8 $537.94 $/Million gallons $/yr (optional input) WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY TIER:
go to
dashboard
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION TO IMPROVE DATA VALIDITY: KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR TARGETS:
Based on the information provided, audit reliability can be most improved by addressing the following components: OPTIONAL: If targets exist for the operational performance indicators, they can be input below:
1: Volume from Own Sources (VOS) Unit Total Losses: 17.7 gal/conn/day 2: Customer Metering Inaccuracies (CMI) Unit Apparent Losses: 5.8 gal/conn/day 3: Unauthorized Consumption (UC) Unit Real LossesA
: 11.9 gal/conn/day
Unit Real LossesB
: 809 gal/mile/day
If entered above by user, targets will display on KPI gauges (see Dashboard) Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop/property line? AWWA Free Water Audit Software:
Worksheet
City of Healdsburg
Jan 01 2023 - Dec 31 2023
Water Supplied Error Adjustments
2023 Calendar
Real Losses:
WATER LOSSES:
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading of 10 has been applied A weighted scale for the components of supply, consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score *** The Water Audit Data Validity Score is in Tier III (51-70). See Dashboard tab for additional outputs. *** $/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$5,492,691
Total Annual Operating Cost
go to start page
NON-REVENUE WATER:
If entering an
Error Adjustment,
select under- or overregistration
0.045
WATER SUPPLIED:
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION:
Apparent Losses:
Click 'g' to determine data validity grade
Click 'n' to add notes
FWAS v6.0
American Water Works Association.
To access definitions, click the input name
To edit water system info:
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v6.0 Worksheet 1
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94 APPENDIX D – 2024 Water Loss Audit Form
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Water Audit Report for:
Audit Year:
All volumes to be entered as: MILLION GALLONS (US) PER YEAR WATER SUPPLIED choose entry option:
VOS Volume from Own Sources: n g 7 559.768 MG/Yr n g 8 0.47% percent MG/Yr over-registration VOSEA WI Water Imported: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WIEA WE Water Exported: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WEEA 557.149 MG/Yr
.
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
BMAC Billed Metered: n g 10 526.450 MG/Yr
BUAC Billed Unmetered: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr
UMAC Unbilled Metered: n g 10 0.030 MG/Yr choose entry option:
UUAC Unbilled Unmetered: n g 3 1.316 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unbilled Unmetered, with automatic data grading of 3 527.796 MG/Yr
WATER LOSSES 29.353 MG/Yr
Apparent Losses
Default option selected for Systematic Data Handling Errors, with automatic data grading of 3 choose entry option:
SDHE Systematic Data Handling Errors: n g 3 1.316 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr CMI Customer Metering Inaccuracies: n g 1 9.378 MG/Yr 1.75% percent MG/Yr under-registration UC Unauthorized Consumption: n g 3 1.316 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unauthorized Consumption, with automatic data grading of 3
12.010 MG/Yr
Real Losses
17.344 MG/Yr
29.353 MG/Yr
NON-REVENUE WATER
30.699 MG/Yr
SYSTEM DATA
Lm Length of mains: n g 6 66.5 miles (including fire hydrant lead lengths) Nc Number of service connections: n g 6 5,057 (active and inactive) Service connection density: 76 conn./mile main
Yes
Lp Average length of (private) customer service line: n g 10 ft (average distance between property line and meter) AOP Average Operating Pressure: n g 8 43.8 psi
COST DATA
CRUC Customer Retail Unit Charge: n g 7 $7.13
VPC Variable Production Cost: n g 8 $572.37 $/Million gallons $/yr (optional input) WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY TIER:
go to
dashboard
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION TO IMPROVE DATA VALIDITY: KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR TARGETS:
Based on the information provided, audit reliability can be most improved by addressing the following components: OPTIONAL: If targets exist for the operational performance indicators, they can be input below:
1: Volume from Own Sources (VOS) Unit Total Losses: 17.7 gal/conn/day 2: Customer Metering Inaccuracies (CMI) Unit Apparent Losses: 5.8 gal/conn/day 3: Unauthorized Consumption (UC) Unit Real LossesA
: 11.9 gal/conn/day
Unit Real LossesB
: 715 gal/mile/day
If entered above by user, targets will display on KPI gauges (see Dashboard) go to start page
NON-REVENUE WATER:
If entering an
Error Adjustment,
select under- or overregistration
0.045
WATER SUPPLIED:
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION:
Apparent Losses:
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading of 10 has been applied A weighted scale for the components of supply, consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score *** The Water Audit Data Validity Score is in Tier III (51-70). See Dashboard tab for additional outputs. *** $/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$6,300,824
Total Annual Operating Cost
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop/property line? AWWA Free Water Audit Software:
Worksheet
City of Healdsburg
Jan 01 2024 - Dec 31 2024
Water Supplied Error Adjustments
2024 Calendar
Real Losses:
WATER LOSSES:
Click 'g' to determine data validity grade
Click 'n' to add notes
FWAS v6.0
American Water Works Association.
To access definitions, click the input name
To edit water system info:
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v6.0 Worksheet 1
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95 APPENDIX E– 2025 Water Loss Audit Form
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Water Audit Report for:
Audit Year:
All volumes to be entered as: MILLION GALLONS (US) PER YEAR WATER SUPPLIED choose entry option:
VOS Volume from Own Sources: n g 7 544.310 MG/Yr n g 8 0.62% percent MG/Yr over-registration VOSEA WI Water Imported: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WIEA WE Water Exported: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr n g n/a percent MG/Yr select….. WEEA 540.941 MG/Yr
.
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION
BMAC Billed Metered: n g 10 497.050 MG/Yr
BUAC Billed Unmetered: n g n/a 0.000 MG/Yr
UMAC Unbilled Metered: n g 10 0.030 MG/Yr choose entry option:
UUAC Unbilled Unmetered: n g 3 1.243 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unbilled Unmetered, with automatic data grading of 3 498.323 MG/Yr
WATER LOSSES 42.618 MG/Yr
Apparent Losses
Default option selected for Systematic Data Handling Errors, with automatic data grading of 3 choose entry option:
SDHE Systematic Data Handling Errors: n g 3 1.243 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr CMI Customer Metering Inaccuracies: n g 1 8.854 MG/Yr 1.75% percent MG/Yr under-registration UC Unauthorized Consumption: n g 3 1.243 MG/Yr 0.25% default MG/Yr Default option selected for Unauthorized Consumption, with automatic data grading of 3
11.339 MG/Yr
Real Losses
31.279 MG/Yr
42.618 MG/Yr
NON-REVENUE WATER
43.891 MG/Yr
SYSTEM DATA
Lm Length of mains: n g 6 66.5 miles (including fire hydrant lead lengths) Nc Number of service connections: n g 6 5,057 (active and inactive) Service connection density: 76 conn./mile main
Yes
Lp Average length of (private) customer service line: n g 10 ft (average distance between property line and meter) AOP Average Operating Pressure: n g 8 43.8 psi
COST DATA
CRUC Customer Retail Unit Charge: n g 7 $7.13
VPC Variable Production Cost: n g 8 $589.52 $/Million gallons $/yr (optional input) WATER AUDIT DATA VALIDITY TIER:
go to
dashboard
PRIORITY AREAS FOR ATTENTION TO IMPROVE DATA VALIDITY: KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR TARGETS:
Based on the information provided, audit reliability can be most improved by addressing the following components: OPTIONAL: If targets exist for the operational performance indicators, they can be input below:
1: Volume from Own Sources (VOS) Unit Total Losses: 17.7 gal/conn/day 2: Customer Metering Inaccuracies (CMI) Unit Apparent Losses: 5.8 gal/conn/day 3: Unauthorized Consumption (UC) Unit Real LossesA
: 11.9 gal/conn/day
Unit Real LossesB
: 1,290 gal/mile/day
If entered above by user, targets will display on KPI gauges (see Dashboard) go to start page
NON-REVENUE WATER:
If entering an
Error Adjustment,
select under- or overregistration
0.045
WATER SUPPLIED:
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION:
Apparent Losses:
Average length of customer service line has been set to zero and a data grading of 10 has been applied A weighted scale for the components of supply, consumption and water loss is included in the calculation of the Water Audit Data Validity Score *** The Water Audit Data Validity Score is in Tier III (51-70). See Dashboard tab for additional outputs. *** $/100 cubic feet (ccf)
$6,300,824
Total Annual Operating Cost
Are customer meters typically located at the curbstop/property line? AWWA Free Water Audit Software:
Worksheet
City of Healdsburg
Jan 01 2025 - Dec 31 2025
Water Supplied Error Adjustments
2025 Calendar
Real Losses:
WATER LOSSES:
Click 'g' to determine data validity grade
Click 'n' to add notes
FWAS v6.0
American Water Works Association.
To access definitions, click the input name
To edit water system info:
AWWA Free Water Audit Software v6.0 Worksheet 1
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96 APPENDIX F – SB X7-7 Verification Form
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2020 Gross Water
Fm SB X7-7 Table 4
2020 Population Fm
SB X7-7 Table 3
2020 GPCD
640 11,800 149
SB X7-7 Table 5: 2020 Gallons Per Capita Per Day
(GPCD)
NOTES:
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97 APPENDIX G – CAL-Adapt Temperature Forecast
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Local Climate Change Snapshot
Healdsburg
California 95448, United States
Overall temperatures are projected to rise in California during the 21st century. While the entire state will experience temperature increases, the local impacts will vary greatly with many communities and ecosystems already experiencing the effects of rising temperatures.
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Annual Average Maximum Temperature
Average of all the hottest daily temperatures in a year.
Observed Medium Emissions (RCP 4.5) High Emissions (RCP 8.5) 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080
68 70
72 74
76 78
80 82
84 86
88 90 Annual Average Maximum Temperature (°F)
Observed (1961-1990) 30yr Average: 73.7 °F
30yr Average 30yr Range
Baseline (1961-1990)
MODELED HISTORICAL - 73.3 °F 73.0 - 73.7 °F
Mid-Century (2035-2064)
MEDIUM EMISSIONS (RCP 4.5) +3.2 °F 76.5 °F 74.5 - 77.8 °F HIGH EMISSIONS (RCP 8.5) +3.9 °F 77.2 °F 74.2 - 78.6 °F End-Century (2070-2099)
MEDIUM EMISSIONS (RCP 4.5) +4.2 °F 77.5 °F 75.2 - 79.5 °F HIGH EMISSIONS (RCP 8.5) +7.0 °F 80.3 °F 76.0 - 83.4 °F
1. Data derived from 32 LOCA downscaled climate projections generated to support California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Details are described in Pierce et al., 2018.
2. Observed historical data derived from Gridded Observed Meteorological Data. Details are described in Livneh et al., 2015.
3. Data presented is for LOCA grid cell (~ 6km x 6km resolution) at -122.87,38.61.
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98 APPENDIX H – CAL-Adapt Dry Spell Forecasts
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Local Climate Change Snapshot
Healdsburg
California 95448, United States
California's climate varies between wet and dry years. Research suggests that for much of the state, wet years will become wetter and the dry years will become drier.
Dry years are also likely to be followed by dry years, increasing the risk of drought.
While California does not see the average annual precipitation changing significantly in the next 50-75 years, precipitation will likely be delivered in more intense storms and within a shorter wet season. We are already seeing some of the impacts from a shift towards larger year to year fluctuations.
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Maximum Length of Dry Spell
The maximum length of dry spell for each year. In other words, the maximum number of consecutive days with precipitation < 1mm for each year.
Observed Medium Emissions (RCP 4.5) High Emissions (RCP 8.5) 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080
20 40
60 80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220 Maximum Length of Dry Spell (days)
Observed (1961-1990) 30yr Average: 113 days
30yr Average 30yr Range
Baseline (1961-1990)
MODELED HISTORICAL - 97 days 87 - 108 days
Mid-Century (2035-2064)
MEDIUM EMISSIONS (RCP 4.5) +5 days 102 days 87 - 124 days HIGH EMISSIONS (RCP 8.5) +6 days 103 days 83 - 121 days End-Century (2070-2099)
MEDIUM EMISSIONS (RCP 4.5) +4 days 101 days 87 - 119 days HIGH EMISSIONS (RCP 8.5) +8 days 105 days 75 - 141 days
1. Data derived from 32 LOCA downscaled climate projections generated to support California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Details are described in Pierce et al., 2018.
2. Observed historical data derived from Gridded Observed Meteorological Data. Details are described in Livneh et al., 2015.
3. Data presented is for LOCA grid cell (~ 6km x 6km resolution) at -122.87,38.61.
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99 APPENDIX I – CAL-Adapt Precipitation Forecasts
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Local Climate Change Snapshot
Healdsburg
California 95448, United States
Overall temperatures are projected to rise in California during the 21st century. While the entire state will experience temperature increases, the local impacts will vary greatly with many communities and ecosystems already experiencing the effects of rising temperatures.
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Annual Average Maximum Temperature
Average of all the hottest daily temperatures in a year.
Observed Medium Emissions (RCP 4.5) High Emissions (RCP 8.5) 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080
68 70
72 74
76 78
80 82
84 86
88 90 Annual Average Maximum Temperature (°F)
Observed (1961-1990) 30yr Average: 73.7 °F
30yr Average 30yr Range
Baseline (1961-1990)
MODELED HISTORICAL - 73.3 °F 73.0 - 73.7 °F
Mid-Century (2035-2064)
MEDIUM EMISSIONS (RCP 4.5) +3.2 °F 76.5 °F 74.5 - 77.8 °F HIGH EMISSIONS (RCP 8.5) +3.9 °F 77.2 °F 74.2 - 78.6 °F End-Century (2070-2099)
MEDIUM EMISSIONS (RCP 4.5) +4.2 °F 77.5 °F 75.2 - 79.5 °F HIGH EMISSIONS (RCP 8.5) +7.0 °F 80.3 °F 76.0 - 83.4 °F
1. Data derived from 32 LOCA downscaled climate projections generated to support California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Details are described in Pierce et al., 2018.
2. Observed historical data derived from Gridded Observed Meteorological Data. Details are described in Livneh et al., 2015.
3. Data presented is for LOCA grid cell (~ 6km x 6km resolution) at -122.87,38.61.
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CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2026
SUBJECT: Water Waste Prohibitions and Water Shortage Contingency Plan PREPARED BY: Terra Sampson, Utility Conservation Analyst STRATEGIC INITIATIVE(S):
Promote Environmental Stewardship
Provide Effective Governance
Maintain and Enhance Public Health and Safety
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Pass an Ordinance by title only and waiving further reading of the text, an Ordinance of the City of Healdsburg Adding Section 13.12.210, Water Waste Prohibitions, to the Municipal Code and amending Section 13.12.220, Water Shortage Contingency Plan, of the Municipal Code.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/OUTREACH:
The City of Healdsburg encourages active community participation in its urban water management and water shortage contingency planning efforts. To allow for community engagement, the City conducted a public survey from April 15 to April 30, 2026, and held a public workshop on May 6, 2026. The survey had 320 responses, including 275 responses to the survey in English and 45 responses to the survey in Spanish. The public workshop had approximately 20 attendees, and provided dinner, childcare, and real-time Spanish interpretation. This outreach included questions and discussions on Healdsburg’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan and proposed updates.
The Water Shortage Contingency Plan was also discussed during a public hearing and business item at the June 1, 2026, City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND:
During times of drought or other emergencies limiting water supplies, the City of Healdsburg relies on section 13.12.220 of the Healdsburg Municipal Code (HMC) to effect water conservation. The City’s current code contains six stages of water conservation, which was last updated in 2022.
Currently, the first stage allows for a 10% voluntary reduction in city-wide water use, the second stage requires a 20% reduction, the third stage requires a 30% reduction, and so forth.
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depending on the anticipated gap in water supply versus water demand. At a minimum, the WSCP requires an annual update to City Council leading into the summer season to provide forecasts of the coming year’s water supply and demand and determine if a conservation stage is anticipated to be necessary. The most recent update was provided to City Council on April 20, 2026, and indicated that at this time there are no indications that water restrictions or curtailments will be needed this summer.
The two primary WSCP changes being considered include:
1. Adding a new section to the HMC for year-round Water Waste Prohibitions, in order to meet other State regulations, and acknowledging the new section as Stage 0 in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan
2. Changing Stage 1 from voluntary to mandatory, if declared, and focusing on impactful water waste activities
Changes are outlined as redlines to the current HMC in Appendix B.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Section 13.12.210, Water Waste Prohibitions
In late 2023, the State passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 Potable water: nonfunctional turf. AB 1572 states:
The use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities is prohibited as of the following dates:
(1) All properties owned by the Department of General Services, beginning January 1, 2027.
(2) All properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems, except those specified in paragraph (5), beginning January 1, 2027. (3) All other institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties, beginning January 1, 2028.
(4) All common areas of properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities, beginning January 1, 2029.
Functional turf is defined as “a ground cover surface of turf located in a recreational use area or community space”. Nonfunctional turf is defined as “any turf that is not functional turf, and includes turf located within street rights-of-way and parking lots”. For example, the Healdsburg Plaza would be considered functional turf for its community gathering purposes and this regulation would not apply to the Plaza. However, this regulation would apply to decorative lawn along sidewalks, building edges, or fences; lawn in medians, roundabouts, parking lots, or entry signage zones; and unused patches near signage or building entries. The California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP) has developed a helpful resource webpage with information and resources for those impacted by the regulation at https://nonfunctionalturfca.org/.
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AB 1572 does allow for an exception “to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings, or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need.” Based on the online survey and workshop polling, the community was generally supportive of allowing the continued irrigation of nonfunctional turf areas when deemed necessary to ensure the health of existing trees. There were various comments about the importance of trees for their climate, shade, and cooling benefits.
Staff recommend that, if an exception is granted for existing tree and other perennial non-turf plantings health, the City apply requirements or conditions to ensure irrigation systems only irrigate the feeder root zone/root zone area of existing trees and other perennial non-turf plantings.
These requirements would be documented in an FAQ or similar guidance document. The proposed guidance is summarized in Appendix C. Staff would also collaborate with CalWEP, the SonomaMarin Saving Water Partnership, and others to develop resources and best management practices for maintaining tree health.
AB 1572 also requires that:
Public water systems shall, by no later than January 1, 2027, revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies governing water service to include the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b), as revised by the board pursuant to subdivision (c), and shall communicate the requirements to their customers on or before that date.
To meet this requirement, Staff recommend adding a new section to the HMC for year-round Water Waste Prohibitions and that two other substantial water waste activities be included:
1. Correct and repair large breaks or leaks within 72 hours (e.g., over 100 gallons)
2. Correct and repair irrigation systems causing more than incidental water runoff Based on the online survey and workshop polling, the community was generally supportive of including these two items as year-round water waste restrictions. This is also in alignment with other Sonoma County cities that have a variety of all-the-time water waste prohibitions, such as Windsor, Santa Rosa, and Petaluma.
Section 13.12.220, Water Shortage Contingency Plan
The purpose of the WSCP is to establish different levels of water conservation during a water shortage resulting from a reduced supply of water such as may result from drought, water supply shortages, failures of City infrastructure, or limitations on water delivery. In general, the restrictions in Healdsburg’s WSCP apply only to potable water, unless otherwise specified. The WSCP outlines the process by which customers may submit written application for an exception.
Violation and enforcement are in accordance with Healdsburg Municipal Code Enforcement with additional enforcement remedies, such as installation of a flow-restricting device on the services line to the property or termination of water service to the property upon a continued violation.
Staff are recommending various changes to the WSCP. These changes are intended to make the restrictions in each stage clearer, address community input received throughout the most recent drought and received during the current update process and foster more effective enforcement.
Stage 0
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Staff recommends adding a new Stage 0 to the WSCP. This addition would recognize the new year-round Water Waste Prohibitions (i.e., nonfunctional turf, large leaks, and excessive runoff).
It also recognizes the ongoing water conservation programs and outreach, which are currently included in Stage 1.
Stage 1
Stage 1 is currently voluntary, and staff recommend changing to mandatory, if Stage 1 is declared.
This would be more equitable and clearly message that everyone is expected to follow the restrictions if conservation is deemed necessary due to a water supply shortage. If changed to mandatory, staff recommend certain updates focusing Stage 1 on impactful water waste activities.
Based on the online survey and workshop polling, a majority of the community is supportive of having Stage 1 restrictions be mandatory (if a Stage 1 water shortage is declared), though this question had more variability in the response selections than the other questions previously discussed.
Staff recommends the following changes to the requirements and restrictions in Stage 1:
• Moving up the restriction that only recycled water be used for construction purposes from Stage 2
• Moving down the restriction that restaurants only serve water upon request to Stage 2
• Removing the restriction of even and odd watering days item from Stage 1, and leaving irrigation no more than 3 days per week in Stage 2 • Replacing the restriction to vary runtimes based on weather with a clearer restriction to not water within 48 hours after rainfall • Clarifying that walls and fences are considered hard surfaces that cannot be washed with potable water
• Requiring that moderate breaks or leaks be addressed in Stage 1 (e.g. 50 gallons or easily accessible), and moving the restriction that all breaks or leaks be addressed to Stage 2
Stage 2
Stage 2 has a variety of restrictions on nonessential uses of water and also includes items related to pools and requirements that commercial customers (including car washes, hotels, etc.) reduce usage compared to previous years. Staff recommend including an acknowledgement that the approved water rate structure implements water shortage surcharges beginning in Stage 2.
Stages 3 & 4
The only change being proposed in Stage 3 and Stage 4 is to move the restriction on new planting of vegetable gardens from Stage 3 into Stage 4. Installation of other new annual plants, flowers, or vines would still be prohibited in Stage 3.
Stage 4 represents an extreme drought or emergency scenario with a need to reduce water usage to 40% below normal usage levels. New plantings that will be watered with only recycled water would still be permitted. Recycled water is available for self-hauling at no cost to the user or users can contract with a water hauler for delivery. If recycled water is used for watering vegetable gardens, it is recommended to wash all fruits, vegetables, and herbs with drinking water prior to Item 6.k
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consumption. The WSCP also provides an exception process, including the ability for any customer to request an exception to certain prohibitions if it would cause an undue hardship.
Stage 3 begins the residential budgets based on a per person per day amount. All the prior stages required that residential customers adhere to the restricted actions, but do not require percentage reductions from individual residents.
Staff recommends including both the specific restrictions and residential budgets beginning in Stage 3. In discussions with and review of other nearby jurisdictions, other jurisdictions include at least some level of prescriptive measures within each shortage stage, particularly around outdoor irrigation, runoff, decorative water features, and other water waste prohibitions. This is because Water Code Section 10632(a)(4) requires shortage response actions that include “locally appropriate demand reduction actions to adequately respond to shortages” and “mandatory prohibitions against specific water use practices that are in addition to state-mandated prohibitions and appropriate to the local conditions”. Having specific restrictions in each stage allows for clear communication and enforcement, especially for outdoor water uses which present the greatest challenge for Healdsburg’s water supply. Adhering to the restrictions in each stage is designed to achieve the necessary conservation and help residents to stay within the residential budget. The residential budgets provide a useful upper limit and guide for residents to target for their total indoor and outdoor water use. However, the residential budgets are much more difficult to track and enforce, as the City does not necessarily know the exact amount of people living in each home or other factors that would slightly adjust the residential budget, such as if there were visitors.
Stages 5 & 6
Staff is not recommending any revisions to Stage 5 and Stage 6, other than a clarification that hand watering is included in the no outdoor irrigation using potable water restriction. These are also the stages that require new construction to offset its demand.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
Conservation of water, especially during times of drought and short water supplies, preserves water necessary for human health and safety and to support the natural environment. Having a plan in place to effectively reduce water demands when needed helps to support the Healdsburg community and the natural environment.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council could choose not to adopt the proposed addition and amendment and provide further direction to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Beyond staff time, there is no fiscal impact with the proposed addition and amendment. Staff anticipate increased participation in the water rebate programs, specifically the lawn conversion rebate, as commercial and HOA properties prepare for compliance with the State’s non-functional turf regulation. This has been included in the proposed biennial budget and is anticipated to subside once phased-in compliance dates take effect, as eligibility for the lawn conversion rebate would be specific to commercial and HOA projects that exceed required compliance. Should the City experience a shortage in water supplies, enacting the WSCP will reduce water usage and Item 6.k
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subsequently reduce revenues necessary to continue the operation of the City’s water utility.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2), 15061(b)(3) (general rule), 15183 (projects consistent with a community plan, general plan, or zoning), each of which provides a separate and independent basis for CEQA clearance and when viewed collectively provide an overall basis for CEQA clearance.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Appendix A. Ordinance
Appendix B. HMC Section Language
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CITY OF HEALDSBURG
ORDINANCE NO. _______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG ADDING
SECTION 13.12.210, WATER WASTE PROHIBITIONS, TO
THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND AMENDING SECTION
13.12.220, WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN, OF
THE MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City of Healdsburg recently completed a draft version of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP); and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) must be included as part of the 2025 UWMP when submitted to the Department of Water Resources; and WHEREAS, the State recently passed Assembly Bill 1572, Potable water: nonfunctional turf, which requires public water systems to revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies governing water service to include the requirements of the State’s nonfunctional turf regulation and to communicate the requirements to their customers; and WHEREAS, Healdsburg can meet the requirement of adopting the State’s nonfunctional turf regulation via the addition of a new section in the Healdsburg Municipal Code, Water Waste Prohibitions, for wasteful water activities that shall be avoided at all times; and WHEREAS, implementing certain year-round water waste prohibitions and a new Stage 0 in the WSCP will better prepare the community to be more resilient to drought and water emergencies, and help mitigate the need for declaring higher stages of the WSCP; and WHEREAS, modifications to the existing WSCP were identified during the UWMP update process to continuously improve Healdsburg’s ability for managing and mitigating a water supply shortage.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings
The City Council of the City of Healdsburg does hereby find that the above referenced recitals are true and correct and material to the adoption of this Ordinance.
Section 2. Adding a New Section 13.12.210 to the Healdsburg Municipal Code Section 13.12.210, is hereby added to Title 13, Water System, of the Healdsburg Municipal Code to read in its entirety as shown on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3. Amending Section 13.12.220 of the Healdsburg Municipal Code Item 6.k
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Section 13.12.220, Water shortage contingency plan, of the Healdsburg Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as shown in Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3. Environmental Review
The City Council finds that this action is exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2), 15061(b)(3) (general rule), 15183 (projects consistent with a community plan, general plan, or zoning), each of which provides a separate and independent basis for CEQA clearance and when viewed collectively provide an overall basis for CEQA clearance.
Section 4. Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or word of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date and Publication
This Ordinance shall be effective thirty (30) days after the date of its passage. Before expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage, this Ordinance or a summary thereof as provided for in Government Code section 36933, shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City of Healdsburg, along with the names of the City Council members voting for and against its passage.
INTRODUCED by the City Council of the City of Healdsburg on the 1st day of June, 2026 and PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of the Healdsburg on the 15th day of June, 2026, by the following vote:
SO ORDERED: ATTEST:
_________________________________ __________________________________ J. Chris Herrod, Mayor Raina Allan, City Clerk
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Exhibit A
§ 13.12.210 ReservedWater waste prohibitions.
A. Purpose. This section is intended to identify wasteful water activities that shall be avoided at all times, in order to meet State regulations and avoid water waste.
B. Required Activities. All water customers are required to:
a. Correct and repair breaks or leaks over 100 gallons per hour within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system within 72 hours after the customer discovers such break or leak or receives notice from the City of such break or leak. b. Correct and repair irrigation systems causing more than incidental water runoff such that water flows down the driveway, sidewalk, street, or other public right-of-way.
C. Prohibited Activities.
1. The use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities is prohibited according to the provisions set forth in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 10608.14 of the California Water Code, as amended.
a. For the purposes of this prohibition, all terms shall be assigned the meaning set forth in section 10608.12 of the California Water Code, as amended. b. For the purposes of this prohibition, “Turf” or “Turfgrass” is additionally defined as “a living ground cover surface of mowed grass”.
c. Property owners subject to compliance certification requirements under subsection (e) of section 10608.14 of the California Water Code shall be responsible for submitting required certifications to the State Water Resources Control Board.
D. Exceptions.
a. Any customer may make written application to the City Engineer for an exception to the requirements and prohibitions described in this section. The application shall describe in detail why the applicant believes an exception is justified. b. For the required activities and prohibitions that are not related to the nonfunctional turf prohibition, the City Engineer will only grant exceptions upon finding and determining that failure to do so would cause an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection or safety of the applicant or public; or cause an unnecessary and undue hardship on the applicant or the public, including but not limited to adverse economic impacts, such as loss of production or jobs.
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c. The City Engineer will only grant exceptions to the nonfunctional turf prohibition to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need. i. If the City Engineer grants an exception for existing tree and other perennial nonturf plantings health, the City Engineer may apply requirements or conditions to ensure irrigation systems only irrigate the feeder root zone/root zone area of existing trees and other perennial nonturf plantings.
d. The City Engineer cannot grant requests for postponement of a nonfunctional turf compliance deadline. Customers must submit any requests for postponement directly to the State Water Resources Control Board. If a Customer has not met the nonfunctional turf prohibition by their deadline and has not notified the City Engineer of an approved postponement request, then the Customer will be out of compliance with this prohibition.
E. Violation/Enforcement. Violations and enforcement will be implemented according to Healdsburg Code section 13.12.220.
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Exhibit B
§ 13.12.220 Water shortage contingency plan.
A. Title. This section shall be known as the "water shortage contingency plan" of the City of Healdsburg and may be so cited.
B. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this water shortage contingency plan (plan) is to establish different levels of water conservation during a water shortage resulting from a reduced supply of water such as may result from drought, water supply shortages, failures of City infrastructure, or limitations of water delivery conditions.
Nothing in this section will preclude the City Council from passing an emergency resolution for the immediate curtailment of water use by its customers due to water supply shortages and delivery limitations caused by catastrophic events and conditions, either natural or unnatural.
C. Authorization. The City Manager or his or her designee is authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this section upon adoption of a City Council resolution determining that such implementation is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
D. Application. The provisions of this plan shall apply to all customers and property served by the City's potable water and recycled water systems.
E. Water Conservation Stages. No customer shall make, cause, use, or permit the use of water for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental, or any other purpose in a manner contrary to any provision of this plan, or in an amount in excess of that use permitted by conservation Stages 12 through 6 when in effect as declared by resolution of the City Council. While in effect, the requirements of Stages 12 through 6 will supersede any conflicting sections of the Healdsburg Municipal Code.
Enactment of the restrictions and limitations required by each stage described herein shall be by City Council resolution. The City Council may, by resolution, modify the following conservation measures, require additional conservation measures, or prohibit other activities and water uses upon the recommendation of the City Manager or City engineer that such additional measures are necessary to achieve the desired overall system-wide reduction in water usage.
1. Stage 0. Stage 0 will be in effect at all times, unless a higher stage is declared based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer. Stage 0 is intended to avoid water waste and mitigate the need for declaring higher stages, as well as meet State requirements. Stage 0 water conservation activities include:
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a. Permanent water waste required activities and prohibitions are in place according to Healdsburg Code section 13.12.210.
b. Building codes and water-efficient landscaping requirements are in place according to Healdsburg Code Title 15 and Healdsburg Code Title 20.
c. Customers of the City are strongly encouraged to:
i. Utilize City and other sources of information regarding water efficiency, reading water meters, repairing ordinary leaks, and water efficient landscape. ii. Utilize conservation incentives, as available and applicable, to replace inefficient plumbing fixtures and appliances with water efficient models and to replace turf with drought-tolerant landscaping.
21. Stage 1 – Voluntary Conservation. The City Council may by resolution declare conservation Stage 1 based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 10 percent is necessary. To achieve an overall system-wide reduction goal of 10 percent, all customers of the City shall be requested toto the following restrictions shall be implemented:
a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stage 0 shall be prohibited.a. Utilize City and other sources of information regarding water efficiency, reading water meters, repairing ordinary leaks, and water efficient landscape. b. Limit irrigation and outdoor watering using potable water to the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to reduce evaporation losses.
c. For property with an even-numbered street address, irrigate outdoors only on even days of the month.
d. For property with an odd-numbered street address, irrigate outdoors only on odd days of the month.
ce. Routinely inspect, and repair as required, all irrigation systems for leaks, and adjust spray heads to prevent overspray and runoff.
d. Irrigating outdoor landscapes with potable water during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall of at least 0.25 inches is prohibited.f. For irrigation valves controlling water applied to lawns, vary the minutes of run-time consistent with fluctuations in weather. Reduce minutes of run-time for each irrigation cycle if water begins to pool or run off to gutters and/or ditches before the irrigation cycle is completed. g. Utilize water conservation incentives, as available, to replace inefficient plumbing fixtures and appliances with water efficient models.
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eh. Refrain from uUsing potable water to wash sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, walls, fences, and other hard-surfaced areas is prohibited, except as may be necessary to prevent or eliminate materials that present a danger to public health and safety. If recycled water is used instead, it must be diverted to landscaping or similar permeable surfaces, and may not enter the storm drains. Contact the Water Department regarding an exemption request for a one-time maintenance activity. f. Use of potable water for dust control, compaction, and other construction purposes is prohibited. Only recycled water may be used for such purposes, as allowed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board or other governing bodies. gi. Refrain from wWashing privately- owned motor vehicles, trailers, or boats is prohibited, except when utilizing a bucket and hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
hj. Correct and repair breaks or leaks over 50 gallons per hour or that are easily accessible within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system within 72 hours after the customer discovers such break or leak or receives notice from the City of such break or leak.
k. Drinking water at food establishments and restaurants shall be provided upon a customer's request only.
32. Stage 2 – Mandatory Compliance. The City Council may by resolution declare a conservation Stage 2 based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 20 percent is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 2 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 20 percent, the following restrictions shall be implemented:
a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 0 and 1 shall be prohibited.All measures in Stage 1 shall become mandatory.
b. Nonessential uses of water, including the following, are prohibited:
i. The City will not accept or approve building permits for new swimming pools or spas/hot tubs unless the owner agrees to obtain pool water from a source other than the City's potable water system.
ii. Refilling of a swimming pool except when topping off to prevent damage to pump, and filter equipment, or liner is not allowedprohibited. Owners of pools and spas must use a cover to minimize evaporation.
iii. Use of potable water for dust control, compaction, and other construction purposes.
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purposes as allowed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board or other governing bodies.
iiiv. Any other use determined by the City Manager or City engineer to be a nonessential use and inconsistent with the system-wide reduction of 20 percent is prohibited. c. Commercial car washes must reduce water usage to 80by 20 percent of the water used by the facility during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years, unless such washing facility treats and recycles wash water, in which case this provision shall not apply.
d. Irrigation and automated sprinklers and drip irrigation systems using potable water shall be limited to no more than three days per week citywide for all customers. Allowed irrigation days shall be Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. e. All Nnonresidential customers must reduce water usage by 20 percent of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years. f. Hotel and lodging businesses must post appropriate signage in facilities stating that washing of linens is available only upon request and reduce excessive water use. g. Drinking water at food establishments and restaurants shall be provided only upon a customer's request.
h. Correct and repair all breaks or leaks within the customer's plumbing or private distribution system within 72 hours after the customer discovers such break or leak or receives notice from the City of such break or leak.
i. Water shortage surcharges consistent with the adopted water rates in effect shall be implemented.
43. Stage 3 – Mandatory Compliance. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 3, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 30 percent is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 3 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 30 percent, the following restrictions shall be implemented:
a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 1 and0 through 2 shall be prohibited.
b. Irrigation and automated sprinklers using potable water shall be limited to no more than two days per week citywide for all customers. Allowed irrigation days will be Tuesday and Friday.
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c. Planting any new landscaping, except for designated drought-resistant landscaping prescribed by the City engineer or designated representative, shall be prohibited. d. Installation of new annual plants, vegetables, flowers, or vines shall be prohibited citywide, including in new developments. Plantings that will be watered with only recycled water are permitted. Plantings necessary to improve or maintain water quality requirements, such as low-impact development (LID) requirements, rain gardens, creek restoration, or similar, may be approved by the City engineer. e. Nonresidential customers must reduce water use for nonresidential customers by 30 percent of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years.
f. Residential customers may not use in excess of 400 hundred cubic feet (HCF) per person per month or 99 gallons of water per person per day.
54. Stage 4 – Mandatory Compliance. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 4, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 40 percent is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 4 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 40 percent, the following restrictions shall be implemented:
a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 01 through 3 shall be prohibited. b. Filling and operation of decorative water features and ornamental fountains using potable water shall be prohibited.
c. Nonresidential customers must reduce water use by 40 percent of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years. d. Residential customers may not use in excess of 300 hundred cubic feet (HCF) per person per month or 74 gallons of water per person per day. e. Notwithstanding the 40 percent reduction for nonresidential customers and reduced water usage by residential customers, aAll day and nighttime irrigation by use of overhead or spray sprinkling is prohibited, unless the water used is recycled water. This prohibition shall not apply to drip irrigation systems using manual or automatic timecontrolled water application or to hand watering with an automatic shut-off nozzle. f. Irrigation of any ornamental lawnnon-functional turf (residential, commercial, or industrial) with potable water, at any time of day or night, shall be prohibited. g. Installation of new vegetable gardens shall be prohibited citywide, including in new developments. Plantings that will be watered with only recycled water are permitted.
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65. Stage 5 – Mandatory Compliance. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 5, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of 50 percent is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 5 status, and to achieve an overall system-wide reduction of 50 percent, the following restrictions shall be implemented:
a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 01 through 4 shall be prohibited. b. Irrigation and automated sprinklers, and drip irrigation systems, and hand watering using potable water shall be prohibited citywide for all customers unless supplied by recycled water.
c. Nonresidential customers must reduce water usage by 50 percent of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years. d. Residential customers may not use in excess of 200 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water per person per month or 50 gallons per person per day. e. New construction must offset new demand by a ratio of one to one prior to receiving a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy. Connection of affordable housing is exempt from this requirement.
76. Stage 6 – Mandatory Compliance. The City Council may, by resolution, declare a conservation Stage 6, based on water supply and delivery projections by the City Manager or City engineer that an overall system-wide reduction of greater than 50 percent is necessary. Following a declaration of conservation Stage 6 status, the following restrictions shall be implemented:
a. Any activities prohibited during conservation Stages 01 through 5 shall be prohibited. b. Nonresidential customers must reduce water usage by at least 60 percent of the water used by the customer during the corresponding billing period in the 3 prior years. c. Residential customers shall not use in excess of 1.5 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water per person per month or 40 gallons per person per day. d. New construction must offset new demand by a ratio of two to one prior to receiving a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy. Connection of affordable housing is exempt from this requirement.
F. Exceptions and Application Procedures for Exceptions. Any customer may make written application to the City engineer for an exception to the regulations and prohibitions described in this section. The application shall describe in detail why the applicant believes an exception is justified.
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1. The City engineer may grant exceptions to the provisions of this section upon finding and determining that failure to do so would cause an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection or safety of the applicant or public; or cause an unnecessary and undue hardship on the applicant or the public, including but not limited to adverse economic impacts, such as loss of production or jobs.
2. Decisions of the City engineer may be appealed to the City Manager or his or her designee by submission of a written appeal to the City Clerk within seven calendar days of the date of the decision by the City engineer. The City Manager or his or her designee shall issue a determination in writing. The City Manager may grant or deny the appeal in full or may impose any conditions the City Manager determines to be just and proper. The City Manager's decision shall be final.
G. Violation/Enforcement.
1. Any violation of any provision of this plan is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.12 HMC, including without limitation the imposition of administrative penalties, notice and hearing requirements and appeals procedures.
2. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction.
3. In addition to the enforcement remedies provided in Chapter 1.12 HMC, upon a violation of any provision of this section, the City engineer may authorize the installation of a flow-restricting device on the services line to the property(ies) in violation, and the cost of installation of such a device shall be charged to the person(s) or entity(ies) responsible for payment of water service charges or a lien against the affected property(ies).
4. In addition to the enforcement remedies provided in Chapter 1.12 HMC, upon a continued violation of any provision of this section, the City engineer may authorize the termination of water service to the property(ies) in violation. The cost of terminating and restoring service shall be charged to the person(s) or entity(ies) responsible for payment of water service charges or a lien against the affected property(ies).
H. Additional Enforcement Remedy. Before either installing a water restrictor or terminating water service, the City shall give written notice to the person responsible for the service connection to be either restricted or terminated of its intention to do so. The person or persons to whom notice is given shall have five business days from the date of service of the notice to request a hearing before the City Manager or his or her designee in order to present any and all evidence they may have as to why a restrictor should not be installed or service terminated.
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If a hearing is requested, the City Manager, or his or her designee, shall schedule a date and time for said hearing as soon as possible after the request is filed, but not later than five business days after the filing of such request for hearing. At the hearing, the person whose service connections are to be restricted or terminated and the utilities personnel may offer evidence. The City Manager, or his or her designee, shall make a final determination as to whether service should be restricted or terminated and under what conditions.
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CITY OF HEALDSBURG
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2026
SUBJECT: Healdsburg Swim Center Joint Use Agreement Amendment PREPARED BY: Mark Themig, Community Services Director
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE(S):
-Provide Resident-Driven Community Services
-Provide Effective Governance
-Maintain and Improve Infrastructure and Facilities
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Adopt a Resolution approving an amendment to the Joint Use Agreement between the City of Healdsburg and the Healdsburg Unified School District for the Healdsburg Swim Center specifying reimbursement to the District for operation and maintenance costs and authorizing the City Manager to execute the amendment.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT/OUTREACH:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The Healdsburg Swim Center is owned by the Healdsburg Unified School District (District).
Following a long-term lease agreement under which the City operated the facility, the City Council approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement on December 2, 2013, to acquire the former Foss Creek School. This agreement included a provision transferring partial operations of the Swim Center back to the District under a Joint Use Agreement, which became effective February 1, 2014.
Under the Joint Use Agreement, the District maintains exclusive use of the facility for school purposes during the academic year, while the City retains exclusive use during the summer and priority use during non-school hours. The District is responsible for overall maintenance and operations, with the City contributing to operation and maintenance costs during its exclusive use season.
Because operations transferred to a school district, the facility became subject to review by the California Division of State Architect (DSA) under the Field Act—a stringent set of safety and construction standards for school facilities that often exceed standard building codes. A DistrictItem 6.l 409 of 786
commissioned review in 2015 determined that the Swim Center did not meet these DSA standards.
Consequently, the District was legally barred from directly operating educational classes or swim team programs at the facility, though it retained the right to contract out these operations.
To resolve this, in 2016 the District asked the City manage the Swim Center’s programming (including staffing and scheduling) during the high school swim season. The City agreed and has provided this service since. In addition, since the District does not use the pool for other educational purposes, over time the City extended its community-use programming later into the fall (October/November) and earlier in the spring (March/April) at the request of community members.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The Joint Use Agreement for the Swim Center required that the District and the City be responsible for operation and maintenance costs for their respective exclusive use times. With changes in staffing at the District and the City shortly after entering into the Joint Use Agreement, billing for the City’s exclusive use lapsed. As a result, the District incurred years of operation and maintenance costs that were the City’s responsibility under the Joint Use Agreement.
In 2024 City and District staff began discussing the operation and maintenance costs and the billing situation. Since the City’s community-use season expanded to include the District’s exclusive use season in the fall, the District proposed that a greater share of the operational costs were the City’s responsibility. (Note: the City has since reduced and defined the community swim season to be May – September.)
City and District staff continued discussions and earlier this year agreed to a proposed agreement for partial reimbursement for past operation and maintenance costs, along with defining future costs. Staff are proposing an amendment to the agreement that specifies the following City contributions towards the District’s operation and maintenance costs for the Swim Center:
Period of Use Amount Payment Date Notes
FY 2024-25 $65,000 Jul 15, 2026 Negotiated amount.
FY 2025-26 $120,000 Jul 15, 2027 District agreed to defer payment to align with planned closure of the Swim
Center when the City would have
significantly reduced programmatic
costs for the fiscal year.
Jul-Sep 2026 Actual Cost Nov 15, 2026 Estimated $22,500 May-Jun 2027 Actual Cost Aug 15, 2027 Estimated $15,000 Jul-Aug 2027 Actual Cost Nov 15, 2027 Estimated $15,000 The City’s use of the Swim Center and its financial obligations under the current Joint Use Agreement and this proposed amendment will conclude at the end of August 2027 when the District’s planned reconstruction of the facility begins. The Swim Center is expected to be closed for both the 2028 and 2029 summer swim seasons.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
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Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES:
Do not approve the amendment and provide direction to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City’s adopted Fiscal Year 2026–28 Community Services budget includes funding for the proposed operational costs outlined in this amendment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
City Council’s approval of an amendment to the Healdsburg Swim Center Joint Use Agreement is not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because approval of an amendment to a Joint Use Agreement is not a project, since it will not have a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect impact on the environment.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
Amendment
City – HUSD Swim Center Joint Use Agreement
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CITY OF HEALDSBURG
RESOLUTION NO. -2026
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HEALDSBURG APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT
USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HEALDSBURG
AND THE HEALDSBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR
THE HEALDSBURG SWIM CENTER SPECIFYING
REIMBURSEMENT TO THE DISTRICT FOR OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE COSTS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Healdsburg (City) and the Healdsburg Unified School District (District) entered into a Joint Use Agreement for the use and operation of the Healdsburg Swim Center on February 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the Joint Use Agreement specified responsibilities for sharing the operation and maintenance costs for the Pool Facility; and
WHEREAS, billing by the District for the City share of its operation and maintenance costs lapsed; and
WHEREAS, the City and the District have agreed to an amendment to the Joint Use Agreement that partially reimburses the District for past operational costs and defines future costs; and
WHEREAS, City Council’s approval of an amendment to the Healdsburg Swim Center Joint Use Agreement is not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because approval of an amendment to a Joint Use Agreement is not a project, since it will not have a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect impact on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Healdsburg does hereby:
1. Approves an amendment to the Joint Use Agreement between the City of Healdsburg and the Healdsburg Unified School District for the Healdsburg Swim Center in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A modifying operation and maintenance cost responsibilities and authorizes the City Manager to execute the amendment to the Joint Use Agreement in a form substantially similar to the form identified in Exhibit A.
2. Finds City Council’s approval of an amendment to the Healdsburg Swim Center Joint Use Agreement is not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because approval of an amendment to a Joint Use Agreement is not a project, since it will not have a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect impact on the environment.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Healdsburg this 15th Item 6.l
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Resolution No. ______