When will the project be built?
Once a recycled water distribution strategy is adopted and funding is secured, a timeline can be established for project implementation. The system will be expanded gradually in phased construction. Some projects could be started within the year. Current plans call for full project implementation by 2020.

How much will it cost and how will it be paid for?
The Napa Sanitation District Board is reviewing all seven distribution strategies to determine which is most feasible; the preliminary strategy project cost ranges from $2 to $92 million.

The Recycled Water Program can not be expanded at the sole expense of the District ratepayers. It is intended that Program expansion be paid for by multiple sources, such as state and/or federal grants, connection fees, benefit assessment district(s), user fees, and other sources of funding.

What kind of grant funding is the District currently pursuing?
The District has applied for five separate state grants to fund recycled water projects. In addition, the District is working with other North Bay agencies on potential federal funding.

Where are we in the process?
Currently the District Board is interested in hearing from the public, potentially affected property owners and potential recycled water users. The Board will consider potential revisions to the Strategic Plan in April/May 2006. Regardless of which strategy is implemented, an environmental review will be conducted as required by CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act).

Will using recycled water be mandatory?
The District typically negotiates User Agreements with each of its recycled water customers. The agreement specifies a minimum amount of recycled water delivered per year and the cost of the water and the term of the agreement, which may be up to 20 years. Because of the high cost of water recycling facilities (mainly pipelines), the use of User Agreements ensures that projects are economically feasible for the District.

Will recycled water users lose their water rights (to groundwater or surface water sources)? No; as noted in Section 13551 of the California Water Code, the use of recycled water shall not cause any loss or diminution of any existing water right.

Where else is recycled water used?
There are many successful recycled water projects throughout California, the United States and around the world. For example, Monterey County farmers use recycled water for irrigating food crops. In Sonoma County over 6,400 acres of farmland and vineyards are irrigated with recycled water. Paramount's Great America, in Santa Clara County, uses recycled water to irrigate the amusement park's landscaped areas. In California alone, recycled water is used at more than 400 parks and playgrounds and 300 schools. And in Napa, more than 1,500 acres of vineyards, golf courses and landscaping are already being irrigated with recycled water.

What is the quality of the water?
Napa's recycled water is treated to meet or exceed California Title 22 "disinfected tertiary recycled water" standards. That means it is the highest quality recycled water for its intended purpose of landscape and crop irrigation, and can also be used for such things as fire fighting, equipment washdown and in cooling towers. Click here for more information.

Where will the pump stations be located, what will they look like and will they be noisy?
Booster pumping stations would be similar to typical municipal water supply well pumping stations. They would take up an area in the range of 400 to 800 square feet. The location could be anywhere along the length of a given pipeline segment.

Stations would typically be screened with concrete block or other type of appropriate fencing for the location. There would be an entrance gate for maintenance vehicle access. They can be designed to blend into surrounding environments.

Noise levels from electric motor pumps would be similar to a swimming pool pump and are typically not a nuisance provided the set-back from residential areas is adequate.

What is Napa doing to conserve water?
Napa has an aggressive water conservation effort that includes a low-flow toilet program, water-efficient washing machine rebates, home audit surveys, restaurant faucet nozzle replacement programs and commercial landscape irrigation best management practices. To date, about 85% of Napa's water customers are using low-flow toilets.

Is the recycled water quality appropriate for growing grapes?
Recycled water quality varies at each treatment plant; the UC Cooperative Extension has recently completed a study of vineyard impacts associated with use of the District's recycled water. Seven vineyards in the Napa area have been successfully irrigating with the District's recycled water. Study results are posted on this website. Click here for more information.