▼

Water - General

Show All Answers

1. Where does Napa's water come from?

The City of Napa meets its demands by supplying water from three surface water sources:

• STATE WATER PROJECT (from Sacramento Delta via North Bay Aqueduct) - treated at Edward I. Barwick Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant
• LAKE HENNESSEY - treated at Hennessey Water Treatment Plant
• MILLIKEN RESERVOIR - treated at Milliken Water Treatment Plant

2. Who is served by the City of Napa Water System?

The City of Napa serves drinking water to a population of more than 85,000. The vast majority of customers are located within the City's Rural Urban Limit (RUL), but the City does serve water outside the RUL to customers in the Monticello Road/Silverado Resort community, in the independent Congress Valley Water District, and along the Conn Transmission Main (Highway 29). Water connections outside City limits are strictly governed by Policy Resolution 7 and Charter Section 180.

3. What are the major components of the Water System?

The City of Napa Water System includes 3 treatment plants, 16 storage tanks, 11 pump stations, 360 miles of pipeline, 9,600 valves, 2,900 hydrants, and more than 25,000 metered connections.

4. How much water is used by City of Napa customers?

Annual demand on the system is about 13,000 acre-feet, or more than 4.2 billion gallons (1 acre-foot = 325,851 gallons). Daily demands range from as low as 7 million gallons in January to more than 20 million gallons on a peak July day. About 60% of the water is used by residential customers. Single-family residences average about 7,000 gallons per month.

5. How do I establish water service?

To transfer an existing water account to your name, call the Finance Department at 707-257-9508 or visit the Finance windows at City Hall, 955 School Street, 8:30am to 5pm. Pay the service deposit as required.

To pursue installation of a new water connection at your site, contact Water Engineering staff at 707-257-9521, or visit the Utilities Department, 1700 Second Street, Suite 100, 8am to 5pm Monday through Thursday. Staff will advise you regarding service eligibility, capacity fees, service pipe installation, meter sets, and scheduling.

For questions regarding new development of the water distribution system (e.g., subdivisions), contact the Water Engineer at 707-257-9266.

6. How much does the water cost?

Current water rate schedules are published on the web page. A bimonthly fixed service charge is applied based on meter size. A water quantity charge is applied based on metered units consumed. One billing unit equals 1,000 gallons.

7. How can I pay my bill?

• By Mail: Enclose a check in the return envelope included with your bimonthly bill.
• In Person: Finance windows at City Hall, 955 School Street. Cash, check, or credit cards accepted.
• On-Line: Pay your water bill directly online for free. Set up your account online, pay your bill, view your usage and opt for paperless billing!

8. When do you read my meter? Can I read the meter myself?

A City service worker reads your meter every two months. Previous/Current read dates listed on your bill show the time period covered by your billed usage. Meters are read only to the thousands place, as the City bills in 1,000-gallon units.

In most cases, your meter is located close to the street just behind the curb in front of your property. It is in a ground level concrete box with a concrete lid. You can remove the lid by inserting a large screwdriver in the hole in the lid and lifting carefully. Simply read across the numbers on the meter. The far right place is fixed at zero, so the reading will be to the tens place. Single gallons can be read using the pointer on the dial. Being able to read your own water meter is a great way to track your consumption, check for leaks, and conserve this precious resource.

9. Why do I need a backflow prevention device?

The City requires that new water services install a backflow prevention device approved by the State Water Board. Located just after the meter, the device protects the public water supply in the mains from potential contamination by non-potable "used" water drawn in from the customer side. A working backflow prevention device ensures that no waste liquids, industrial fluids, fertilizers, pesticides, or other contaminants reach the public drinking water supply. All devices must be tested annually and immediately repaired if necessary. For more information, contact the Cross Connection Control Program Coordinator at 707-257-9912.

10. Will PG&E planned power outages affect my water service?

Under normal circumstances a power outage will not affect your water service. Your water system is staffed as a 24/7 operation and we have procedures in place to respond as needed to keep the water flowing during blackouts. Approximately 90% of our system is fed via gravity from the treatment plants. Our two major treatment plants are outfitted with automatic transfer switches that transition to generator power.

For the 10% of our service area in the hillsides (Browns Valley, Congress Valley, Canterbury Drive, Alta Heights, Silverado Highlands, Old Coach Road, Syar Drive) as shown in orange on the Water System Pump Zones Map (PDF), we have emergency generators ready to connect in order to keep pump stations pumping, tanks filled, and customers with water.

As always, if you experience an interruption in service we want to know about it so we can ensure a rapid response. If after hours, call our non-emergency dispatch 253-4451.

11. How do I report a leak?

To report a water main or water service line leak from a public street, call Water Administration/Engineering staff at 707-257-9521 or you may call the Water Division's Corporation Yard staff directly at 707-257-9544. For after hours water emergencies only, please call the City of Napa Dispatch Center at 707-253-4451.

12. If I have a leak, who is responsible for repairing it?

It depends on the location of the leak. If the leak is located after the water meter, it is the customer's responsibility to have it repaired. If the leak is located at, or prior to, the water meter, it is the City's responsibility to repair it.

13. How do I get my water turned off so I can make repairs to my plumbing or irrigation?

If shutting off at your house valve is not sufficient and it is necessary to shut the water off at the meter, call 707-257-9508 to schedule a service worker. If shutoff is needed immediately, you may call the Water Division's Corporation Yard staff directly at 707-257-9544. Use the same contact numbers to request that water be turned back on. Please note that a specialized tool is required to turn water off and on at the meter. This work is to be performed by City staff only.

14. How do I report a water quality concern?

The City of Napa is committed to providing a safe and reliable supply of quality drinking water that meets all Federal and State standards. As required by law, the City prepares an annual Drinking Water Quality Report each spring to provide customers with detailed information regarding any contaminants detected. The most recent Drinking Water Quality Report is available on this web site.

Before reporting a specific problem, please note whether your concern is with color, odor, taste, or something other, and be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Is the problem in the hot water, cold water, or both?
• Is the problem observed at all faucets?
• Do neighbors see a similar problem?
• Is there construction activity nearby?

Call Water Division staff at 707-257-9521.

15. Why does my water look dirty, have an odd color, or have particles in it?

From the time your drinking water is purified at our treatment plants until it pours from your tap, there are chances for it to pick up things that can change the way it looks. Sometimes this happens as close as your home's own plumbing. Some possible causes of dirty, discolored water or particles/sediment include:

• High flows in water mains due to fire fighting, broken hydrants, or main flushing. Unusual high-flow conditions can stir up sediment from the mains.
• Switching treatment plants. When the City switches between Hennessey Water Treatment Plant in the north and E.I. Barwick Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant in the south, the change in system flow direction can stir up materials in the mains.
• Construction activity. Your service connection from the main to the meter is sometimes disturbed by construction activities of contractors or other utilities.
• Aging galvanized plumbing. Buildup on galvanized steel home plumbing can produce particles or reddish-brown water, particularly noticeable when the tap is first turned on. The buildup can also create problems of insufficient flow within the home.
• Hot water heater. This is the most common source of particles in a home plumbing system, either from a defective dip tube or from the anode.

Call Water Division staff at 707-257-9521 to report any concerns with your water's appearance.

16. Why does my water have a strange taste or odor?

Most peculiar tastes or odors fall into one of the following three categories:

• CHLORINE - At the treatment plant, the City adds a small amount of chlorine to the drinking water as a disinfectant, to kill or prevent the growth of harmful germs. Regulations limit the amount of chlorine so that it keeps the water safe to drink. If you are sensitive to the chlorine taste, an easy way to get rid of it is to let water sit in a glass for a few minutes. Then put the water in a covered container and chill it in the refrigerator. Almost all household water filters can reduce or remove chlorine.
• EARTHY/MUSTY - Sometimes algae are not controlled by the usual treatment process and naturally make substances that create an earthy or musty smell, but are not harmful in the small amounts found in drinking water. This happens more often in the warmer months when algae growth may increase in our surface water sources.
• SULFUR - A sulfurous, rotten egg, or sewage-like odor or taste can be caused by bacteria growing in your water heater, or odors may simply be coming from your sink drain where bacteria can grow on hair, soap, food, or other trapped materials. Comparing hot and cold water and various faucets will help determine the source of the problem.

Call Water Division staff at 707-257-9521 to report any concerns with your water's taste and odor.

17. Does the City add fluoride to the drinking water?

No. The only fluoride in the Napa water supply is naturally occurring at a level of about 0.2 parts per million (ppm).

18. What is the water hardness?

City of Napa drinking water is considered moderate to moderately hard. Total hardness ranges from 2 to 8 grains per gallon and averages about 6 grains per gallon.