Policy and rulesGuide
Who makes the water rules in Sonoma County
State boards set drinking water and pollution rules. The county handles wells, septic and graywater permits. Your own utility handles your tap and your bill.
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| Who | What it handles |
|---|---|
| State Water Board, Drinking Water Program | Regulates public water systems. Accredits labs. Registers home water treatment devices. |
| North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board | Regulates discharges from logging, dairies, cannabis and farms. Sets pollution budgets for impaired waters. Promotes restoration. |
| Permit Sonoma, Well and Septic Division | Reviews well and septic permits and graywater systems. |
| County Environmental Health | Suggests a testing schedule for private wells. |
| Sonoma Water | Runs the Russian River supply system. Runs flood control and stormwater programs. |
| Groundwater sustainability agencies | Manage the Sonoma Valley, Petaluma Valley and Santa Rosa Plain basins. |
| Your city or district | Delivers your water and sends your bill. Often runs rebates. |
Where to start
- Problem with your tap: your utility, then the State Water Board.
- Well or septic: Permit Sonoma.
- Dumping or a spill: see the storm drain guide.
Phone numbers are on our agency list.
Sources
- State Water Board, Drinking Water Program
- North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
- Permit Sonoma, Well and Septic Systems
- Sonoma County Environmental Health, Well Water Testing
- Sonoma Water
- County of Sonoma, groundwater sustainability plans approved
Checked 2026-10-11. Rules and programs change. If something here is out of date, the source above wins. Spot an error? See our corrections policy.
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