Groundwater Management a Key Component of Integrated Regional Water Resource Management: A Northern California Experience
Presented on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
James Jasperse, PE, PG and Marcus A. Trotta, PG, CHg, Sonoma County Water Agency, Santa Rosa, CA
The Sonoma County Water Agency (Water Agency), a Special District located in northern California, is responsible for wholesale water supply, wastewater services, flood control and energy production/renewable energy development. Given this suite of business functions, the Water Agency is well poised to implement integrated water/energy management programs. In 2010, the Water Agency developed a document known as the Water Supply Strategies Action Plan (Action Plan) that provides a framework for regional integrated water supply planning. The Action Plan is centered around nine strategies, each focused on promoting a resilient regional water supply. For each of the strategies, there are actions and projects that are prioritized as immediate actions, near-term actions, or long-term actions. The Action Plan is updated annually with a description of modifications to the plan and a summary of progress made over the year. This regional planning effort is conducted with public and stakeholder input and, recognizing that no organization can go it alone, promotes leveraging resources through partnerships.
Within this regional framework, groundwater management programs form a key element of integrated water resource planning. The Water Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey have worked together since 1999 to conduct groundwater characterization studies of the largest groundwater basins within the Water Agency’s service area. As this program continues to improve the scientific understanding of groundwater conditions, the Water Agency has recognized that a strong scientific basis alone is not enough to make science relevant in management and policy decision-making. Consequently, the Water Agency has been involved in leading groundwater management programs emphasizing local management of the resource. Important considerations include a collaborative and transparent process, a strong scientific understanding of the groundwater system, and education of stakeholders regarding technical issues and management options.
James Jasperse, PE, PG
Sonoma County Water Agency, Santa Rosa, CA
Jay Jasperse is Chief Deputy Engineer of Energy and Resource Planning for the Sonoma County Water Agency, California. He is a registered civil engineer and has been with the agency since 1998. Prior to joining the agency, he worked as an environmental engineering consultant specializing in groundwater characterization and design of remediation systems. Jasperse received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of California at Davis and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He is an active member of the National Ground Water Association and the American Chemical Society.
Marcus A. Trotta, PG, CHg
Sonoma County Water Agency, Santa Rosa, CA
Marcus A. Trotta is a hydrogeologist for the Sonoma County Water Agency. The primary focus of his work at the water agency involves leading feasibility studies for enhanced groundwater recharge projects and managing groundwater monitoring programs and technical studies in support of collaborative groundwater management activities. His role also includes investigating the interaction and exchange of surface water and groundwater associated with the water agency’s production facilities along the Russian River. Trotta is a Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist in the state of California and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of California at Davis.
