Email  Print

Valley water conservation awards

Six Sonoma Valley projects have been recognized for extraordinary levels of water conservation by the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Management Basin Advisory Panel.

Among the winners are two residents, a vineyard manager, two water-conservation coordinators, and the Sonoma Community Center.

“We’re delighted that the efforts of Sonoma Community Center, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the City of Sonoma, and the Sonoma County Master Gardeners have been recognized,” said Kathy Swett, executive director of Sonoma Community Center. “The Maloney Waterwise Demonstration Garden is a good example of why it works well when nonprofits and government work together – everybody wins.”

The winners were recognized at a Jan. 19 award ceremony, and include:

• Sonoma Valley resident Cathy O’Neill, who constructed a 610-gallon capacity rainwater harvesting system as part of a home remodel project. The system stores and uses rainwater for landscape irrigation and serves as a model to neighbors and other residents.

• Clarence Jenkins, a third-generation grower who integrated water-saving techniques such as electrical irrigation control, minimizing the excessive use of irrigation water, and managing storm water runoff to reduce runoff and encourage groundwater recharge.

• Sonoma Valley Water Conservation Coordinators Kathy Toohey and Mike Brett, who have made significant contribution in implementing water conservation programs and reaching out and assisting Sonoma Valley residents in lowering water use.

• Sonoma Valley resident Mona Verducci, who replaced more than 4,100 square feet of thirsty turf with drought-tolerant landscaping. Not only did the turf removal save thousands of gallons of water, but the homeowner maintained appealing landscaping by using drought-tolerant plants and landscape features. The water-saving technique serves as a model to neighbors and other residents.

• The Sonoma Community Center, which replaced more than 4,000 square feet of turf with drought-tolerant landscaping and constructed a water-wise garden. The water-efficient garden includes educational materials and will include a rainwater harvesting system that will help demonstrate and encourage practical water-saving practices to local residents.

“By conserving water, these award-winners help all of us. The less water taken out of the groundwater basin now, the more we have available for future droughts and for our children and grandchildren,” said Mark Bramfitt, chair of the Basin Advisory Panel.

The Basin Advisory Panel, which was formed in 2007, has developed a groundwater management plan for Sonoma Valley.

The management plan and information about the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Basin Advisory Panel can be found at www.scwa.ca.gov/svgroundwater/.