Water Operations
All of the water serving Petaluma is provided through purchased, imported water. Petaluma purchases treated water from the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA). This water originates from tributaries that feed the Russian River watershed. The SCWA water supply is collected 80 feet below the gravel beds adjacent to the Russian River. Natural filtration gives this water its excellent quality; it requires no additional filtration. The only treatment administered is the addition of chlorine to keep the water pure in the delivery pipeline. A small amount of sodium hydroxide is also added to raise the pH to minimize corrosion of pipes. The SCWA supplements approximately 14% of their Russian River water supply with groundwater collected from three production wells along the Cotati Aqueduct in the Santa Rosa Plain.
The City of Petaluma maintains a ready supply of local groundwater for emergency purposes. Local groundwater, when used, is drawn from wells more than 400 feet deep. The water is naturally filtered by the sand and gravel it passes through in the aquifers. Chlorine is added to keep the water pure in the delivery into the city distribution system.
The City's Water System Operators are working to keep safe, high-quality drinking water delivered to the residents and businesses of Petaluma. The operators:
- Operate and maintain seven pressure reducing vaults, nine booster pump stations, seventeen wells and eight different storage facilities.
- Perform sampling and monitoring.
- Installed and maintain the ever-growing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System.
- Respond to water quality issues.
- Perform and respond to leak detection.
Water and Sewer Maintenance
The City's maintenance crews are stationed at the Water Resources Field Office at 202 North McDowell Boulevard and work to keep the City's distribution system running at all times. The crews:
- Repair main and service leaks that arise on water and sewer mains and services, taking responsibility for the City's pipelines.
- Flush mains to consistently provide high water quality.
- Maintain valve system to ensure continued operation should leaks occur.
- Maintain readiness to serve in the event of a disaster and/or emergency.
- Maintain the sewer collection system to ensure continued operation.
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