Neighbors steamed over Santa Rosa well drilling plan

Santa Rosa’s plans to install a 700-foot deep well in a Rincon Valley neighborhood is the subject of what is expected to be a well-attended meeting Wednesday night.

The meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rincon Valley Library aims to address concerns raised by residents about the city’s plans to install the test well at 618 Speers Road.

The city purchased the vacant parcel last year as a possible site for an emergency ground water well. A second such well is planned on the site of the former Oakmont wastewater treatment plant.

The city wants to install the wells to ensure it can provide water to its residents in the event the supply of Russian River water, which it purchases from the Sonoma County Water Agency, is disrupted.

If the test well finds sufficient water, the emergency well would be installed early next year and hooked up to the city water system. State rules only allow such wells to be operated in an emergency for up to 15 days per year.

The plan has riled some Rincon Valley neighbors who live near the site and worry about the effect such a well might have on their properties. The area of is an unincorporated county island, and many homes have their own wells.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at (707) 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @srcitybeat.