SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Wine grape farmers and others in Sonoma County have formed a new group designed to raise awareness and help residents conserve water, according to wineindustryadvisor.com.
Winegrowers, members of the business community, the Sonoma County Water Agency and the Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership created the Sonoma County Drought Relief Partnership, noted the article. The public/private partnership will focus on communicating "simple, effective ways to conserve water during the year’s hottest months."
"Sonoma County Winegrowers are proud to be a part of this collaborative and innovative effort to share our water conservation practices utilized for decades by our grape growers to reduce water use," said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, in the article.
"Water is our most precious resource, which is why we have spent years developing new technology and practices to minimize its use and implemented new farming practices to conserve water," added Kruse in the article. "Conservation is a key component of our Code of Sustainability and we are excited to share our findings with all residents in the County so they can apply it to their own home and gardens."
Members of the organization and the general public will receive materials to help make water conservation a routine behavior similar to recycling practices, stated the article.
"With more than 60 [percent] of Sonoma County’s vineyard acres already engaged in our commitment to sustainability, we have a wealth of best management practices to share to minimize water use and maximize its benefits," shared Kruse in the article.
While Sonoma County usually receives 25-60 inches of rain per year in grape-growing areas, grape irrigation uses 3-6 inches annually, leaving more water to recharge the aquifer.
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