Sonoma Water

Top 3 Metrics

• Investigations reduced from hours to minutes with integrated video and access logs

• Recurring fuel thefts eliminated after cameras and alarms captured clear evidence leading to an arrest

• Expanded visibility across remote facilities — from chemical storage rooms to flood-prone treatment ponds

Building Security from a Blank Slate

When Corey Jahn joined Sonoma Water as their Security Analyst, he stepped into a role that had never existed before. The agency supplies wholesale water, manages wastewater treatment, flood control, and environmental resources across Northern California’s wine country—yet its physical security approach had long been fragmented and reactive.

“There wasn’t a dedicated program in place,” Jahn explains. “It was more of a task handed off to people who already had other jobs. My role was created so we could formally build out physical security from the ground up.”

Over the past two years, Jahn has transformed security at Sonoma Water, designing a proactive, cloud-based program powered by Verkada.

Challenges with Legacy Systems

Before the transition, Sonoma Water’s security systems were outdated, siloed, and difficult to manage:

• Disjointed systems: Cameras, alarms, and access control lacked integration, forcing manual investigations and delays.

• Limited oversight: Remote sites like treatment plants, storage tanks, and lift stations were difficult to monitor.

• Reactive operations: Security was focused on responding to incidents rather than proactively preventing them.

“We had systems that didn’t talk to each other at all,” says Jahn. “Nothing was integrated, and managing remote sites with older hardware was nearly impossible.”

A Unified Cloud-Based Solution

Sonoma Water adopted Verkada’s integrated platform, rolling out products across its network of facilities:

• Video Security: High-definition cameras now cover treatment facilities, fleet yards, and administrative sites. Operators also monitor flood-prone areas and even track fish migration via AI analytics.

• Access Control: Legacy systems were replaced with a modern, unified solution that manages entry across sites.

• Alarms: Video-verified alarms secure areas like fleet parking lots, reducing false dispatches and catching real threats.

• Air Quality Sensors: Devices monitor chemical storage areas to support safety compliance and protect staff.

• Intercom: Teams authenticate deliveries and grant access remotely, strengthening entryway security while streamlining operations.

“If I’m driving or at home and an alarm goes off, I can pull out my phone and immediately see what’s happening. That level of access is a complete game-changer.”

Driving Organizational Buy-In

Rolling out new security measures required not just technology, but also cultural change.

“Security can sometimes feel disruptive if people don’t understand the why,” Jahn notes. “We focused on communication and relationship-building—showing teams that security was there to support operations, not hinder them.”

The turning point came when incidents decreased. Staff began to notice how the new systems made their jobs easier, from monitoring water levels to securing hazardous material rooms.

Results That Matter

Since implementing Verkada, Sonoma Water has achieved measurable security and operational improvements:

• Theft and vandalism stopped: Fleet fuel thefts ended after cameras and alarms captured clear evidence, leading to an arrest by local law enforcement.

• Investigations reduced from hours to minutes: Teams now cross-reference access logs with video in just a few clicks, saving significant time.

• Real-time deterrence: AI-enabled PTZ cameras with Sentry Mode automatically follow trespassers, discouraging further attempts.

• Operational value: Cameras and air quality sensors support day-to-day operations, from monitoring hazardous chemical rooms to tracking water levels during storms.

• Environmental research: The fisheries team uses Verkada cameras to study fish ladder activity, expanding the platform’s impact beyond security.

“Seeing the system stop thefts and support our operations validated everything we’ve been building,” Jahn says.

Looking Ahead

With the foundation in place, Sonoma Water is expanding coverage to additional facilities and integrating security into future construction projects.

“There’s still a lot of work ahead,” Jahn says. “But we’re not just reacting anymore—we’re building a proactive, integrated security program that supports the entire organization. It’s exciting to see it all come together.”

Key Outcomes

• Theft and vandalism stopped with video evidence and alarms

• Investigations reduced from hours to minutes with integrated search

• Remote visibility across critical infrastructure sites

• Cross-functional value supporting safety, operations, and environmental monitoring