While every division and department at the Town of Windsor is essential, our community would not be able to function without the Water Reclamation Division.

Their job: to treat and disinfect the approximately 1 billion gallons of wastewater a year that goes through our indoor plumbing – toilets, bathroom and kitchen sinks, and dishwashers – to create clean, safe, high-quality recycled water.

“We process raw wastewater into recycled water through physical, biological, and chemical methods, and finally through ultraviolet light,” says Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Dave Ernst.

This 12-member division, part of the Public Works Department, is comprised of nine full-time and three part-time employees and include state-certified wastewater-treatment plant operators, a maintenance mechanic, a lab analyst, and an environmental program manager.

“Our job is part biology, part chemistry, a little bit of engineering, and a lot of math,” says Mr. Ernst.

There are over 94 miles of sewer collection system throughout Windsor and all the wastewater goes through pipes that range in size from 6 inches to 4 ft. in diameter and end up at the 20-acre Wastewater Treatment Plant, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“Whenever we’ve had emergencies, they all stepped up to keep the plant going when everyone else had to evacuate,” says Mike Cave, Deputy Director of Operations for the Public Works Department.

Wastewater to Clean, Recycled Water

Treating wastewater is a complex operation. It includes removing large materials through screens and gravity, supplying oxygen to and monitoring the microorganisms that help to naturally clean the water, settling fine particulates by adding a small amount of chemicals with a specific ionic charge, filtering the water through sand filters, and sending the water through an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.

“The main soldiers in our system are the microorganisms, including various protozoa and bacteria,” Mr. Ernst says. “We support them with oxygen and nutrients, accelerating the natural processes that would happen in a river or stream.”

The division is also responsible for storing and disposing the recycled water – no easy feat when you consider the volume of water. Some of the recycled water is temporarily stored in several recycled water ponds and distributed to businesses such as the Windsor Golf Club and local wineries, as well as to residents via the Town’s Recycled Water Fill Station Program, which began in 2022.

The team also ensures that the water treatment plant’s giant 24 pumps are operating correctly, calibrate the plant’s sophisticated instrumentation, perform lab analyses, and maintain all the equipment as well as our recycled water ponds and a state-of-the-art floating solar array that provides power to the facility.

Water reclamation staff regularly clean out the giant pipes, which can get clogged with clothing, baby wipes, bed sheets, coffee grounds and other food, children’s toys, coins and paper money, and even ammunition – all objects that should not go down the toilet or garbage disposal.

Now, the Town’s Public Works Department is seeking to create a biosolids handling facility that will decrease our C0₂ emissions by turning the plant’s treated sewage sludge into a beneficial resource that can be used as a fertilizer or soil amendment. In April 2022, the Town Council approved Town Staff to start design work with an engineering company and in December 2022, approved Town Staff to seek funding for the project. Construction of the biosolids facility may start in the next three to five years.

“They’re stewards of the environment,” says Mr. Cave of the Water Reclamation Division. “They’re self-starters, they’re highly educated, and they’re motivated to work both independently and as a team. I’m very proud of them.”

Public tours: If you would like to take a free tour of the Town of Windsor’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, please call (707) 838-1006 or email dernst@townofwindsor.com.

Town Council Approves Senior Living Mixed-Use Project 

On February 1, the Town Council approved planning entitlements for the Clearwater at Windsor senior living mixed-use project on a 25-acre site at 376 Shiloh Road. The project includes a 246-unit senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care in addition to approximately 26,000 square feet of commercial space and ten affordable apartments along Shiloh Road.  

There will be a total of seven buildings with heights up to four stories. Commercial buildings are located at the northern edge of the property to frame Shiloh Road as an active boulevard, consistent with the Shiloh Road Village Vision Plan. Approximately half of the site will be dedicated as a conservation easement for the long-term preservation of biological resources. 

The project will exceed requirements for water and energy efficiency, including 100 percent carbon-free electricity through Sonoma Clean Power’s Evergreen program, solar panels on carport rooftops, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure for 25 percent of parked cars on site by 2030.

March 2:  Roundabout Ribbon Cutting 

Mark your calendars: We will celebrate the completion of the roundabout at Windsor Road and Windsor River Road with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 2, towards the end of the day (exact time TBD). Local officials will speak about the construction project, which transformed a four-way signal intersection to one that smoothly transports vehicle traffic at slower, safer speeds and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by shortening vehicle idling time.

All are welcome to this public event! Local officials will speak and members of the Windsor High School Band will perform. After the event, please join us at the Chamber of Commerce for some light refreshments. More details will come soon – stay tuned.

Weed Abatement Starts Soon

Webster’s Dictionary defines a weed as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and usually of vigorous growth.” With all the rain in January followed by our California sunshine, weeds will soon make their annual entrance. Consequently, our Parks Landscape Maintenance Crew will spend the next four months aggressively tackling the “weeds” in our public areas.

However, we as a community must adjust our definition of maintained landscapes to align with our abilities to care for them set forth in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy. In the fall of 2018, the Windsor Town Council adopted this policy which restricts the use of Round-Up (glyphosate) and other synthetic herbicides in our parks and street landscaping. 

When we see dandelions, we should think of the bees and butterflies thriving on the flowers. When we see wild grasses in the landscaping, we should be thankful for the rain and sun. Please know that Town Staff are working diligently through the spring to maintain a healthy balance in our landscaping. Thank you for understanding.

Sponsor the 2023 Family Movies on the Green

The Town of Windsor proudly announces the return of Family Movies on the Green, which will run Tuesday nights from June 6 to August 1 (no movie on July 4), with one additional weekend evening this fall, date TBD. 

You are invited to be a valued 2023 sponsor of this series: Market your business or organization to thousands of enthusiastic movie goers on the Town Green. For more information on the benefits of the sponsorship program and how to pledge, please go here or email Hilary at hdunn@townofwindsor.com.

Design Concepts for Keiser Park Improvements

We are excited to engage with you and hear your thoughts about the proposed improvements at Keiser Park! The Keiser Park Master Plan project website features a summary of three design alternatives, concept graphics, and a series of questions and comment boxes to collect input from you, the community. 

We encourage you to review and complete the survey by February 28. Learn more at https://www.keiserparkmasterplan.org/

Applications Open: Utility Box Painting Program

The Town of Windsor is excited to announce the third year of the utility box painting program, Discovering Windsor Through Art. The aim: to help beautify our community and exhibit the visual arts outside the constraints of museums or galleries. The 2023 theme of “Gratitude” is meant to express our appreciation for the people and places around us.

To date, 12 utility boxes have been painted around Windsor. Over the next few years, this program will eventually include all 24 utility boxes in our community. The Town encourages all interested artists to apply; applications will be accepted from Monday, February 13, through Friday, March 3. For more information on the program and the application, please visit https://www.townofwindsor.com/968/Public-Art-Adivsory-Commission

Windsor COPE All-Hazard Preparedness Series

Windsor COPE will hold a series of free in-person/online community risk-reduction and preparedness seminars from 5:30-6:30 PM on February 23, March 30, and April 27. Topics will include life safety, crime prevention and emergency preparedness. Free NOAA radios will be available for in-person participants (while supplies last), as well as evacuation tags and maps. 

• February 23: Bluebird Community Center, 25 Bluebird Drive
• March 30: Huerta Gym, 9291 Old Redwood Highway
• April 27: Windsor Senior Recreation Center, 9230 Foxwood Drive

The meetings will also be held on Zoom: https://townofwindsor.zoom.us/s/86786256848. The April event will also be streamed on Facebook Live on the “Windsor, California (& Local) Families" page. All are welcome and the workshops will be held in English and Spanish. Gather your neighbors and join! 

For more information, call (707) 892-2445 or email khancock@sonomacountyfd.org. 

New Greywater Requirements; Laundry to Landscape

Greywater can be a great resource for conserving water while meeting irrigation needs. The Town Council recently passed an ordinance adopting the new California 2022 Building and Fire Codes and one new requirement concerns greywater: Newly built homes must be equipped with alternative plumbing allowing discharged water (greywater) from washing machines to be used for irrigation. The adoption of these new codes and amendments went into effect on January 1. This is an exciting addition to the California Green Building Standards Code. 

Greywater is gently used water that has traces of dirt from your dirty clothes and soap. While it’s unsafe to use as drinking water, it’s perfect for outdoor irrigation. If you’re interested in using greywater, the Town offers a laundry-to-landscape incentive program to residents who want to convert their current system to use greywater for irrigation.

A Visit to Sonoma Water

On February 7, Windsor Town Staff and some members of Town Council visited Sonoma Water, which provides drinking water to more than 600,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties, including Windsor. 

The group toured Sonoma’s Water Education Center along the beautiful Russian River, one of the collector wells and the river division structures, including the inflatable rubber dam, fish ladder and infiltration ponds that help to carefully manage our water supply. Town Staff and Sonoma Water also discussed the aging infrastructure and the ongoing challenges of climate change.

Join Our Team 

The Town of Windsor is looking for talented people. For information on open positions, click here for the full list. If you have questions about working for the Town, please reach out to our Human Resources team at hr@townofwindsor.com. 

Join our team! Go here to apply.

Mini-Grants for Reusable Food Service Ware 

Attention, local businesses: ZeroWaste Sonoma is offering $250 Reusable Food Service Ware mini-grants to support the transition from single-use food service ware to durable reusables. 

Eligible expenses may include baskets, plates, bowls, ramekins, cups, mugs, trays, utensils, bulk dispensers, self-service bins, dishwashers, and payment to third-party companies offering reusable food service ware. Funding is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more and apply here.

Upcoming Town Public Meetings

Get involved: We’d love to see you at our Town meetings and workshops. Here’s what’s on tap for the next two weeks. You can always find Town Council and Commission meeting information on the calendar on the Town website homepage, on our agendas, minutes, and videos page, and in the agenda packets for each meeting.

• Feb. 14, 5:30 PM: Planning Commission Meeting
• Feb. 15, 6 PM: Town Council Meeting
• Feb. 21, 2 PM: Senior Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting
• Feb. 22, 4:30 PM: Public Art Advisory Commission Meeting

New Ordinance Banning Sideshows

The Town Council recently approved a new ordinance making it unlawful to participate in sideshow activity, street races and reckless driving exhibitions on public streets and off-street parking facilities. Those in violation of the new ordinance would include spectators as well as drivers and passengers.  

While this reckless activity has historically not been a big problem in our community, Windsor Police Chief Michael Raasch said the new law “will give us the tools to effectively deal with sideshows if they were to occur in Windsor.”

National Burn Awareness Week

A message from the Sonoma County Fire District: It’s National Burn Awareness Week. 2023 theme - Scalds: Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire. A scald is a burn injury caused by hot liquid, steam, or food; 32 percent of all burn-related injuries reported by hospitals to the American Burn Association were from scalds. 

Tips to prevent scald burns while cooking:

• Do not cook when drowsy.
• Clean the stove, oven, and exhaust fan to prevent grease buildup.
• Keep a lid, potholders, or oven mitt near you.
• Turn pan handles toward the back.
• Use microwave safe cookware that allows steam to escape.
• Use a pan lid or splash guard to prevent grease splatter.
• Never leave the stove unattended.
• After cooking, check to make sure all burners and appliances are off.

If food does catch on fire:

• Cover the pan with lid or cookie sheet. NEVER move the pot or carry outside – the contents may splash, causing a severe burn.
• Turn the heat off. 
• NEVER use water on a kitchen fire. Water will cause oil to splatter and spread the fire or scald you as it vaporizes.
• If fire is inside the oven or microwave, keep the door shut and turn it off.
• If fire gets out of control, get out, stay out, call 9-1-1. Don’t return inside for any reason.