Planning is moving ahead on a big recycled water project in Sonoma Valley to help reduce groundwater pumping and make local water supplies more reliable. The plan includes about 2.5 miles of new pipeline (up to 12 inches wide), plus valves, meters, and storage upgrades. Once finished, it could replace 200–300 acre-feet of groundwater use each year.
Construction is expected to cost between $5 million and $10 million. Most of the new recycled water will be available in winter, so storage and conservation will be key to using it year-round…