<p>Free Water Saving Kits at Regional “Drought Drop By” Event  </p>

Water customers throughout the North Bay will be able pick up a free water saving kit during a three-county “Drought Drop By” event on August 21, 2021, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sonoma Water and its partners in the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership encourage all water users in the Russian River watershed to save water. Every drop saved helps maintain water flows in the Russian River and extends reservoir storage levels.  

“These free water saving tools in our community’s hands will not just increase water conservation, but raise awareness of the severity of this drought,” said Sonoma Water Director and Second District Supervisor David Rabbitt. “We all need to take action now by eliminating water waste and adopting water smart habits. We can all take shorter showers, reducing irrigation,  and achieve permanent savings by installing water efficient devices.” 

Well owners in Petaluma Valley, Santa Rosa Plain and Sonoma Valley are also eligible to pick-up their water saving kits, thanks to contributions to the event from the Petaluma Valley, Santa Rosa Plain and Sonoma Valley groundwater sustainability agencies. 

The Russian River watershed is in a historic drought. The region has experienced the third driest water year on record over the last 127 years. Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino water supply levels have reached historically low levels. Without additional rainfall, it is critical that aggressive water saving by our communities occurs now. The Water Advisory Committee (WAC) to the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors have adopted a resolution calling for 20% voluntary water conservation. Directors of the Marin Municipal Water District have adopted mandatory restrictions aimed at achieving 40% water use reductions. 

Drought Drop By on August 21, 2021, 8am-12pm

Free drought toolkits will be distributed to participants who drop by on a first come, first served basis. While supplies last. Limit one kit per household. 

• Bucket to catch water for reuse 
• WaterSense labeled low-flow showerhead 
• 5-minute shower timer 
• WaterSense labeled low-flow faucet aerator 
• Toilet dye test tablets 
• Self-closing garden hose nozzle 

Keeping everyone’s health and safety in mind, COVID safety protocols will be in effect. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols. Participants should remain in their vehicles if they drive to the event and stay 6 feet apart if they arrive on foot or bicycle. 

Locations

Sonoma County 

• Cloverdale: Cloverdale Plaza, 124 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale 
• Cotati: Cotati City Hall – 201 W Sierra Ave, Cotati 
• Healdsburg: Healdsburg Community Center – 1552 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg 
• Sonoma Valley, Valley of the Moon Water District, 19039 Bay Street, Sonoma 
• Petaluma: Petaluma Community Center at Luchessi Park – 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma 
• Rohnert Park: Rohnert Park Community Center – 5401 Snyder Ln, Rohnert Park 
• Santa Rosa: Coddingtown Mall (enter off Range Ave. behind JC Penney), Santa Rosa 
• Santa Rosa: Nagasawa Park, 1313 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa 
• City of Sonoma: Sonoma Town Plaza – On The Plaza, Sonoma 
• Windsor: Town of Windsor Corporation Yard – 8400 Windsor Rd, Windsor 

Marin County 

• Corte Madera: Marin Water – 220 Nellen Ave, Corte Madera 
• Novato: North Marin Water District – 999 Rush Creek Pl, Novato 

Mendocino County 

• Ukiah: Lucky Supermarket (parking lot), 504 E. Perkins St., Ukiah 

For more information about the Drought Drop By event, visit  www.savingwaterpartnership.org/dropby

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership is a collaborative of the following utilities: The cities of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Sonoma, Cotati, Healdsburg and Cloverdale; Marin Water, North Marin Water District, Valley of the Moon Water District; Town of Windsor, California American Water – Larkfield and Geyserville, and Sonoma Water.