Water uncertainty

From a computer console on West College Avenue, Dale Dunlap has his hand on the tap controlling the water supply for much of the North Coast.

From there, the Sonoma County Water Agency's six pumping stations, its 90 miles of pipeline, its hundreds of valves and the releases from both Warm Springs and Coyote dams can be remotely operated.

"That location is where we remotely monitor as well as control all of the facilities of the transmission system," said Pam Jeane, the Water Agency's deputy director of operations. "All of the information that we use comes through that center."

Dunlap, the senior plant operator, is "the captain of the ship," she said.

The control center plays an even more important role now as the Water Agency deals with a mandatory 15 percent reduction in the amount of water it takes from the Russian River.

The conservation mandate raises a number of questions, which Water Agency, city and water district officials have attempted to answer.

What's the problem?

Lake Mendocino is 68 percent full. If water is drawn out at the normal rate, the lake would be virtually dry in October when water is needed to support the fall run of Chinook salmon, which are listed as threatened on the federal Endangered Species Act list.

What about Lake Sonoma?

Lake Sonoma is 91 percent full, but getting more of that water into the Russian River is a problem. The National Marine Fisheries Service limits the amount the Water Agency can discharge from Lake Sonoma's Warm Springs Dam into Dry Creek. Too much water can damage the fishery.

Who must conserve?

Everyone who gets water from the Russian River is being asked either directly or indirectly to conserve.

The Water Agency is dealing directly with its contractors, which include the cities of Santa Rosa, Windsor, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma and Sonoma and the Valley of the Moon, North Marin and Marin Municipal water districts.

The state also instructed the agency to ask for conservation by those not under the agency's direct control, including the cities of Healdsburg, Cloverdale and Ukiah, the Mendocino County Water Agency, other smaller water districts and the agriculture community.

What's the target, and how is it measured?

The mandate is to reduce the amount the Water Agency takes out of the Russian River by

15 percent from July 1 to Oct. 28, compared to the same period in 2004.

The volume is measured at the agency's pumping stations at Wohler Bridge and near Mirabel Road. The agency in turn is asking its contractors to reduce their take by 15 percent.

Are there penalties if the reduction isn't met, for agencies and individuals?

The state has threatened to order the Water Agency to turn off its pumps if it doesn't meet the target, and the Water Agency has threatened to turn off the tap to its water buyers. The cities and water districts also have provisions to fine or even disconnect their customers who waste water. Those penalties kick in when water conservation measures are made mandatory.

I just moved into my home. What is expected of me?

Most of the cities and water districts are asking homeowners and businesses to use the best conservation practices, believing that if they do, the target can be reached.

That means reducing irrigation by 20 percent, making sure that sprinklers don't cause water to run into streets and sidewalks, and fixing faulty irrigation and plumbing systems.

People also are encouraged to install low-flow toilets and restricters on shower heads; run dish and clothes washers only with full loads; buy front-loading washers; and use a bucket and shut-off nozzle to wash cars.

How long is this going to last?

This may be a persistent problem because Lake Mendocino depends on spring rainfall and water from Lake Pillsbury.

This year, spring rains were light and more of the water once diverted to Lake Mendocino is being kept in the Eel River for its fishery, by order of National Marine Fisheries Service.

Is there a long-term solution?

The Sonoma County Water Agency believes there are a number of things that can be done, but most will take either state or federal approval. The agency wants to be able to discharge more water into Dry Creek, either by improving the habitat or by constructing a separate pipeline.

It wants the Army Corps of Engineers to release less water from Lake Mendocino during the winter, when extra capacity is kept as protection against floods.

It also would like National Marine Fisheries Service to increase diversions from the Eel River into Lake Mendocino and the Russian River.

What's next?

The Water Agency's contractors meet today as a group to come up with a plan to allocate water over the next 3½ months.

If the plan doesn't meet the 15 percent target, Water Agency officials said an agency allocation plan will be imposed.

Regardless of whose allocation plan is adopted, however, every city and water district in early August will know how much water they will get and can adjust their water conservation programs accordingly.

Has growth played a role in creating the shortage?

Growth is a factor in water demand, but because of conservation programs, 8.3 percent less water was used in June 2007 compared to June 2004. Santa Rosa, for instance, used 1.9 percent less water in June 2007 even though it added 1,567 new single-family homes, 56 multifamily units and 41 new businesses.

Agriculture accounts for 30 percent of the water taken from the Russian River, but the largest component, vineyards, have remained constant at 60,000 acres since 2004, according to agriculture officials.

Why is Marin County getting Russian River water?

The North Marin Water District's entitlement is based on it being a partner in building and paying for the Water Agency's transmission system since the 1950s.

The Marin Municipal Water District bought it in the 1980s, after the severe drought of 1976, and is a surplus customer, getting water mostly in the winter.

You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com.;

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?

A city-by-city guide

of plans to enforce water conservation if goals are not met / A5