Napa County has partnered with the Napa Sanitation District (NSD) to extend NSD’s recycled water pipeline to the MST area. This project will be completed in two phases. NSD has begun construction on Phase 1, which extends its recycled water pipeline—that now ends at Napa Valley College—through the grounds of Napa State Hospital, ending near the Skyline Park. This work was made possible thanks to successful negotiations with the State to obtain an easement for this purpose. Phase 1 construction began in May 2011. Phase 2, which would further extend the pipeline out to the Napa Valley Country Club, is shown on the map. Phase 2 is in the survey and design phase, and design is expected to be completed by October 2011. Construction may begin as early as the Spring of 2012 pending additional funding. If you are interested in obtaining recycled water for your property and are located along the pipeline route shown on the map, please click here to fill out a brief survey (please note that data typed into the form cannot be saved. Either print the form out and scan it to email, or print it out and mail it to the address listed on the form). For more information, you can email mst@countyofnapa.org, or call Kevin Berryhill, Supervising Engineer, at (707) 259-8600.
Both the County of Napa and the NSD are members of the North Bay Water Reuse Authority (NBWRA), an organization that works to expand the use of recycled water. Through NBWRA, both the NSH and MST recycled water pipelines received $2.8 million in federal recovery act (ARRA) funding, also known as “stimulus funding.” The federal funds cover 25% of projects costs, while the remaining 75% is covered by the County (MST pipeline design) and the Napa Sanitation District (NSH pipeline construction). The County has allocated Measure A (flood protection and watershed improvement) funds towards the MST pipeline design. The County anticipates future federal funds will cover 25% of the construction costs for the MST pipeline, and continues to identify potential sources of funding to pay for the additional construction costs. The County hopes to form an Assessment District for the prospective recycled water customers in order to recover the majority of those costs over a period of 20-25 years. The proposed Assessment District would include the large water users who have voluntarily agreed to be part of the recycled water project. Other MST property owners could opt to connect to the pipeline in the future, and thus participate in the Assessment District, on a purely voluntary basis. Phase 2 construction is estimated to cost $10-$15 million.
The North Bay Water Reuse Authority was awarded $7.3 million dollars by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) towards the construction of recycled water pipelines in Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties. The funds, which are part of a $25 million federal authorization must be matched by a 75% local match. Under the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act, the Federal government will provide 25 percent of the estimated $100 million cost design and build several recycled water projects in Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. The federal government previously provided approximately $1.5 million in grants for the engineering, planning, and environmental phases for this important recycled water program. The program also received $200,000 in funding toward construction as part of the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. Visit the North Bay Water Recycling Program website, send NBWRA project staff an email or call 707-547-1923.
Stop by the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Office located at 804 First Street in Napa to pick up some free water saving devices. Email Deborah Elliott or call (707) 259-5969 for more information. Some of the free devices that will be available to residents include faucet aerators, showerheads, shower timers, hose nozzles, and hose timers. Other water conservation efforts include public education and outreach through newsletters and workshops for residents, people in the wine industry and growers. Find out more by visiting the Napa County Water Conservation website.
Water conservation is the best and cheapest way to relieve the pressure on the groundwater basin and continued conservation will save on pumping costs as well. For additional water conservation ideas, visit Save Our Water.
For two years, from 2008 through April 2010, the County conducted expanded groundwater level monitoring in the MST area, measuring 57 additional wells that have not been measured since the completion of the USGS study in 2003. Water levels have continued to decline throughout much of the MST basin despite the fact that there have been several wet years since the completion of the USGS study.
A community meeting will be held when enough pertinent information is developed to present to residents. The community will also be kept informed via Web site updates and periodic mailings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kevin Berryhill or Deborah Elliott at (707) 259-8600 or send MST project staff an email.
Find out more about the regional North Bay Water Reuse Association.