Water panel honors local conservation efforts

Four Sonoma residents, a homeowner’s group and Ramekins (pictured) were recognized Friday by the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Management Basin Advisory Panel for extraordinary efforts in water conservation.

“By making permanent changes to their landscaping, these award winners are prepared for the next drought and will save money on their water bills,” said Sonoma City Councilwoman Laurie Gallian, who represents Sonoma on the Water Advisory Committee. “Saving water is critical in Sonoma Valley, even during cool summers.”

Honored at an October 21 luncheon were:

Ramekins. The cooking school replaced nearly 6,000 square feet of turf with attractive low-water landscaping, providing a model for other Sonoma Valley businesses.

Sonoma Valley residents Larry Arnold, Robert Castillo, James Deely and John and Mary Roberts showed how individuals can make a difference. These residents replaced a total of more than 7,800 square feet of turf with drought-tolerant landscaping.

The Mission Village Homeowner Association replaced 6,025 square feet of irrigated turf with drought-tolerant plants. The association’s visible MacArthur Street location demonstrates what neighborhood groups can do to reduce water use in common areas.

“Conservation is a key element of groundwater management. The less water taken out of the basin now, the more we have available for future droughts and for our children and grandchildren,” said Mark Bramfitt, chairman of the Basin Advisory Panel. “The award winners provide practical models for all of us to follow.”

The Basin Advisory Panel, which was formed in 2007, has developed a groundwater management plan for Sonoma Valley. The plan includes 10 action items to protect and preserve local groundwater resources, including: conservation, improved groundwater recharge, use of recycled water and groundwater banking.

The management plan and information about the Sonoma Valley Groundwater Basin Advisory Panel can be found at scwa.ca.gov/svgroundwater/.