Well Monitoring

The City of Petaluma Water Resources & Utilities Department conducts a series of groundwater source monitoring events at the City owned wells to evaluate and manage the quality, quantity, and sustainability of the groundwater resources. This monitoring is crucial for public health, environmental protection and resource management.

Below are some specific objectives and purposes:

1. Water Quality Assessment

  • Detect Contamination: Identify the presence of pollutants such as chemicals, heavy metals, pathogens, or agricultural runoff.
  • Compliance with Standards: Ensure water quality meets regulatory standards for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.
  • Baseline Data: Establish baseline quality levels for comparison over time.

2. Resource Management

  • Sustainability: Monitor groundwater levels to ensure sustainable usage without over-extraction.
  • Recharge Rates: Assess natural recharge rates and the impact of artificial recharge measures.
  • Trend Analysis: Identify long-term trends in water availability and quality.

3. Early Warning System

  • Pollution Prevention: Provide early detection of contamination to prevent widespread impact.
  • Risk Mitigation: Enable timely response to potential threats such as leaks, spills, or seepage from waste disposal sites.

4. Support for Development and Planning

  • Infrastructure Design: Inform decisions on the placement and design of wells, water treatment plants, and storage systems.
  • Land Use Planning: Guide land development projects to avoid contamination or overuse of groundwater.

5. Regulatory Compliance

  • Environmental Laws: Fulfill legal obligations for industries and municipalities.
  • Permitting: Support applications for water extraction permits and environmental impact assessments.

6. Ecological Balance

  • Support Ecosystems: Ensure that groundwater extraction does not adversely affect surface water bodies or dependent ecosystems.
  • Saltwater Intrusion: Monitor and prevent the intrusion of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, especially in coastal areas.

As part of routine well water quality monitoring, the City of Petaluma will conduct quarterly testing of all active wells in accordance with updated state regulatory requirements. These requirements ensure that public water systems like ours consistently deliver safe, high-quality drinking water. Testing involves collecting water samples at specific locations and times to monitor for regulated substances.

Upcoming Events:

Oak Hill Municipal Well Project 900x510
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