Martha Way Well Aquifer Storage and Recovery Pilot Test

The Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), in partnership with the City of Santa Rosa Water Department (Santa Rosa Water), will conduct a pilot test at an existing well on Martha Way to evaluate the feasibility of storing and recovering drinking water in the underground aquifer. This process is known as Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), which you can learn more about here. The purpose of the project is to gather valuable information about the viability of ASR as a tool to sustainably manage our local water supply-especially during droughts, emergencies, or peak demand periods. The project consists of temporarily adding ASR capabilities to the existing well to recharge water from Santa Rosa Water's drinking water supply into the underground aquifer system. Approximately 3 million gallons of drinking water will be recharged into the aquifer, stored, and recovered via the Martha Way well.

Project Location

This pilot test will be conducted at the Martha Way well, near the intersection of Martha Way and Albert Drive and adjacent to the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway.

Project Timeline

Construction is anticipated to start in the second or third week of July and be completed in October 2025. Daily work hours will be weekdays 8am-6pm and only on weekends if necessary with advanced notice.

1. Mid July 2025: Equipment Installation - Workers and equipment will be onsite to install the pump, generator, piping, fencing, and monitoring systems.
2. Mid-July through October 2025: Testing Phase - Three ASR test cycles will be conducted, each involving water injection (recharge), a storage period, and water recovery. - A generator will operate intermittently to power the submersible pump. - Staff will be onsite to monitor equipment and collect data. - Each cycle increases in duration, with the final cycle including up to 14 days of recharge and 8 days of recovery. - After the water is recovered, it will be discharged to the Southeast Greenway via perforated pipe.
3. Late October 2025: Equipment Removal - Workers and equipment will return to dismantle and remove all temporary infrastructure. The site will be restored to its original condition.

Project Impacts

Noise: The generator will produce moderate noise during operation, within City noise limits. To minimize noise, the contractor will provide sound dampening measures and will utilize ultra quiet generator technology. Traffic: Minimal increase in vehicle activity near the site. Visuals: Temporary fencing, tanks, and equipment will be present during the project. Water: The water used in this project is high quality drinking water from the City's supply. No chemicals or contaminants will be introduced in the well. There are no anticipated impacts to nearby creeks or wells' groundwater levels, but both will be monitored throughout the project as required by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure consistency with state and federal regulations.

Project Funding

The ASR pilot test is funded through a grant issued from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Results from the pilot test will inform the Santa Rosa Plain GSA and the City of Santa Rosa in considering ASR and regional water banking opportunities.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the project, please contact: City of Santa Rosa Project Manager: Claire Nordlie, 707-543-3962, cnordlie@srcity.orgGSA Project Manager: Pete Dellavalle, 707-243-8555, pdellavalle@westyost.com

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