Water Use Efficiency Program

The Sonoma County GSAs are connecting well users with practical tools and resources to help with groundwater management and sustainability. Water use efficiency is an important part of our plan to protect our basin, and it relies on users like you being thoughtful about how they use water. We aren’t asking you to cut your water use, but to only use what you need and help avoid waste. Through our trusted partners we are able to offer water saving tools available to all well users, rural residents, small and large farms, vineyards, wineries, and businesses.

What’s new?

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Well Aware Toolkit – a new, interactive resource from the Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) designed to help you make smart, well-informed decisions about groundwater use on your property.

The Well Aware Toolkit allows you to enter your property address to be connected with:

Custom water-saving strategies for your property
Financial assistance programs to support conservation
Guidance from trusted local experts who understand our region’s needs

Whether you’re a rural resident, small or large farm, vineyard, winery, or business, the Toolkit provides guidance tailored to your type of property. Simply enter your address to find your best path to personalized solutions.

Start Saving Water!

Resources for Well Users: Use the links below to access the Resource Guide – your hub to the programs and resources available to you!

Resources for Agricultural Well Users

Resources for Commerical Well Users

Resources for Rural Residential Well Users

Leading by Example: Water Sustainability at Sonoma State University

A Well Aware Case Study Sustainability as a Core Practice Sonoma State University (SSU) is focused on campus sustainability including working to modernize water distribution systems, utilizing recycled water, and applying an ecological philosophy to landscaping all to help reduce the campus’s groundwater demand in the Santa Rosa Plain Subbasin. One example of this commitment to sustainability, is the pledge that all new construction will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)...

From Lawn to Learning Landscape: La Tercera’s Water-Wise Schoolyard

A Well Aware Case Study Lawn Conversion to Climate-Appropriate Landscaping In Petaluma, La Tercera Elementary School (La Tercera)’s recent schoolyard transformation shows how institutions are actively stepping up to preserve groundwater. Prior to the schoolyard transformation, La Tercera’s campus featured several large irrigated lawn areas woven between concrete walkways. In addition to the high water demand required to keep the lawn healthy, the uneven terrain made maintenance challenging....

From Pasture to Percolation: One Resident’s Effort to Recharge Groundwater

A Well Aware Case Study The Connection Between Recharge and Rural Residents Individual residents can play an important role in protecting and enhancing our precious groundwater supply. In Sebastopol, within the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Subbasin, Martin Mitchell is doing just that. Mitchell is restoring his property in an effort to revitalize the land, support the return of native species, and recharge the groundwater basin. Mitchell wants to show others the value of sustainable living...

Data-Driven Irrigation Helps Sonoma Vineyard Conserve Groundwater

A Well Aware Case Study Vineyard Management at Vadasz Family Vineyard Tyler Klick from Redwood Empire Vineyard Management (REVM) is taking a data-focused approach to analyze vine stress to apply the appropriate amount of water to winegrapes to conserve as much groundwater as possible at the Vadasz Family Vineyard within the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Subbasin. REVM, a vineyard management company operating in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties, provides services including planning and consulting,...

From Lifeless Lawn to Rain Garden: HOA Saves Water through Community Redesign

A Well Aware Case Study Conversion of Lawn to Rain Gardens and Communal Space The Martin Farms HOA in Petaluma took on the challenge to convert their irrigated lawn into a community rain garden, significantly reducing its water demand. The Martin Farms HOA community is built around the Martin Farmhouse, a 120-year-old farmhouse on the United States National Register of Historic Places and a Heritage Home of Petaluma. Developers built out 16 additional homes between 2008 and 2011 to create the...

Well Aware Tool Kit: The Well Aware Toolkit offers personalized groundwater savings practices based on your parcel’s land use.
This interactive tool allows you to explore water saving practices, funding opportunities, or determine experts that can assist.

Well-Designed Landscape Program: The Land Resilience Partnership will soon be available through our partnership with Daily Acts. Our team will provide a site-specific concept design with a prioritized list of projects that can be implemented on your property to save water, mitigate flooding, and recharge groundwater. Qualifying properties may be eligible for future implementation assistance. Click HERE to learn more and apply.

Irrigation Assistance for Farms and Vineyards: Sonoma Resource Conservation District is providing technical assistance through field evaluations on distribution uniformity of irrigation application. Results provide guidance on system improvements to improve even water application. This program is limited and interested parties can contact us at info@sonomavalleygroundwater.org for further information.

Monitor Your Water Use: Visit FlowSmart to get information about how to get a free meter for your well. Water meters are one of the most useful tools for using water efficiently. They not only help you understand your water use, but also identify leaks quickly and easily.

Share Your Thoughts! This program is actively being developed, which means YOU can have a say in what we offer. Tell us what programs you prefer in this survey.

Well Aware Survey

Want a water conservation presentation for your organization?

Topics can include:

Groundwater Use Practical Tips
Water Conservation tips
Water use efficiency in outdoor landscaping
Practical watering and irrigation tips
Water use efficiency in small farms
Rainwater catchment
Graywater systems

For more water conservation resources, check out our partner websites:

Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part from The Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 and through an agreement with the State Department of Water Resources.