Proposed groundwater fees in Sonoma County

Officials overseeing groundwater in parts of Sonoma County are discussing this month proposed fees charged to users for the water they pump.

The residential fees are based on an assumption that rural residents typically pump a half-acre foot of well water a year. While large groundwater users — including ranches, cities, water districts and businesses — would pay fees based on the volume of water drawn from their wells.

The fees are proposed under to a 2014 state law requiring implementation of local programs designed to ensure groundwater sustainability.

Read more about what prompted the change here.

Fee options have been proposed for three Sonoma County groundwater basins: Santa Rosa Plain, Petaluma Valley and Sonoma Valley. The fees are listed below.

The lower amount listed for each fee assumes 40% grant funding; the higher amount applies in the absence of grants.

The proposed regulatory fees are one of several revenue options, including well head fees (a flat fee per well), parcel taxes that would require two-thirds voter approval and benefit assessment districts, which also require voter approval.

Regulatory fee

Paid by large groundwater users (cities, farmers, water districts, businesses) based on use

• Santa Rosa Plain: $35-$50 per acre foot
• Petaluma Valley: $230-$400 per acre foot
• Sonoma Valley: $95-$160 per acre foot

Rural residents regulatory fee

Assumes use of one-half acre foot of water per year; no meters will be installed

• Santa Rosa Plain: $18-$25 per year
• Petaluma Valley: $115-$200 per year
• Sonoma Valley: $48-$80 per year

Well head fee

Paid by all groundwater pumpers

• Santa Rosa Plain: $75-$115 per parcel
• Petaluma Valley: $490-$850 per parcel
• Sonoma Valley: $220-$370 per parcel

Benefit assessment district

Requires voter approval

• Santa Rosa Plain: $14-$25 per acre foot/year
• Petaluma Valley: $55-$95 per acre foot/year
• Sonoma Valley: $75-$115 acre foot/year

Parcel tax

Requires two-thirds voter approval

• Santa Rosa Plain: $8-14 per parcel
• Petaluma Valley: $28-$55 per parcel
• Sonoma Valley: $50-$90 per parcel

How to weigh in

• The Santa Rosa Groundwater Sustainability Agency will hold a virtual rate and fee study community meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The agency has also scheduled two in-person meetings on the topic this month. A meeting in Windsor is set for 5:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Windsor Community Center, 901 Adele Drive. A meeting in Santa Rosa is set for 5:30 p.m. on April 27 at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave. For more information about these events go to https://bit.ly/3JYh5nY.

• The Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency board of directors will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. April 25. For more information go to https://bit.ly/3JYh5nY.

• The Petaluma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency board of directors will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. April 28. For more information go to https://bit.ly/3JYh5nY.