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Water use efficiency (a.k.a. water conservation) is an integral part of the City of Napa's long-term water management strategy. As signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California, the City is committed to implementing the appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure future supply reliability. For our customers this means we are available to help you make every drop count. And because our water rates are quantity-based with no fixed service charges, you only pay for water when you use it. So every drop you save will reduce your own bill!
In the mid-1980s, per capita demand on our water system averaged 184 gallons per person per day. Today, it is down to 157 gallons thanks to the evolution of water-efficient appliances, City-sponsored conservation, and water recycling. We look to continue this progress by offering our customers a variety of financial incentives and educational programs:
Virtual Water Saver Home Tour
Water-Wise Landscaping
Residential Programs
Commercial Programs
Free Water-Saving Devices
Public Events
School Education
Check out the Bay Area Water Saving Hero campaign and the statewide Save Our Water program for more conservation tips!
Read the Governor's Drought Proclamation and visit the California Drought Information Site.
Virtual Water Saver Home Tour
Just click here to learn everything you need to know about saving water at home.
This comprehensive web site is operated by the California Urban Water Conservation Council.
Water-Wise Landscaping
More than half of Napa's treated drinking water is used outdoors, much of it wasted in overwatering lawns and gardens. Like only 2% of the world, Napa has a Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and summer droughts. Selecting appropriate plants, mulching, and frequently adjusting irrigation to match the weather are just a few of the actions you can take to save water in your landscape.
Residential Programs
Single-family and multi-family residential water use represents about 70% of Napa's total demand. Residential customers save water and money by using the most efficient indoor appliances and fixtures, fixing leaks, and practicing water-wise landscaping. Our incentive programs can help:
Commercial Programs
Commercial, industrial, and institutional water use represents more than 20% of Napa's total demand. Business, government, and non-profit institutions save water and money by using the most efficient appliances, fixtures, and processes, and by practicing water-wise landscaping. Our incentive programs can help:
Free Water-Saving Devices
City of Napa water customers are entitled to an array of free conservation devices and literature. You may receive these items as part of a Water-Wise Home Survey or Business Survey, or by visiting our display at various public events. Or you may simply pick them up at Water Division headquarters, 1340 Clay Street, Downtown Napa (intersection of Clay and Franklin Streets).
Devices
 Showerhead: 1.5 gallon-per-minute (gpm) Earth Massage, available in White or Chrome
- Shower Timer: 4-minute alarm helps change habits
- Bathroom Faucet Aerators: 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 gpm, residential and commercial
- Kitchen Faucet Aerator: 1.5 gpm, dual-setting with swivel
 Toilet Dye: for leak detection
- Toilet Flapper Valve: "5-Year" adjustable flapper to replace old leaker
- Toilet Fill Cycle Diverter: Tankee Clipper saves up to a half gallon with each flush
- Rain Gauge: comes with Lawn Watering Guide, sprinkler test recommendations
 Garden Hose Nozzle: 6-position "Water Miser"
- Hose Timer: automatic shutoff, minutes to 3-hours duration
- Hose Meter: WaterWatch measures gallons used with each application
Literature
 California Water Facts (Water Education Foundation)
- Educational Water Wheel (tips from Niagara Conservation)
- Practical Plumbing Handbook (California Urban Water Conservation Council)
- Smart Water and Energy Use in the West (Sunset)
- Water for Tomorrow Magazine
- Easy water-wise gardening (Sunset)
 Backyards from the Ground Up (Sunset)
- Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants (Bay Nature)
- Soil Matters (Bay Nature)
- Drip Irrigation excerpts from Harmony Farm Supply Catalog
- various other water and energy program brochures
Public Events
Look for the City of Napa Water Conservation Booth at various community events throughout the year. Sign up for rebates and other water-saving programs, pick up free devices and literature, and check out our Smart Irrigation Display. Youth-oriented events may feature our Knock Out Water Waste game. A partial calendar for 2010:
Water Conservation Showcase
Tuesday, March 23
Pacific Energy Center, San Francisco
Master Gardeners "Get Growing" Day
Saturday, April 10
Vintage High School
Earth Day
Saturday, April 24
Veterans Park, Downtown Napa
Napa-Solano Home & Garden Show
May 14-16
Napa Valley Expo Fairgrounds
Napa Downtown Farmers Market
Tuesday Mornings, May through October
Oxbow Public Market Parking Lot
Chefs' Market
Selected Thursday Evenings, Summer
First Street, Downtown Napa
Napa Valley 5K/10K Salmon Run
Saturday, June 26
Yountville Veterans Home
Napa Town & Country Fair
August 11-15
Napa Valley Expo Fairgrounds
River Festival
Sunday, September 5
Veterans Park, Downtown Napa
Yountville Days Parade & Festival
Sunday, October 3
Yountville Park
School Education
Knowledge of local, regional, and global water supply issues allows citizens to make appropriate decisions in preserving today's water for tomorrow's generation. A water conservation ethic instilled at an early age will last a lifetime.
As one of the founding members of the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County (EECNC), the City of Napa Water Division is committed to working with local schools and youth groups to provide the best possible water education opportunities. To take advantage of our free water education programs, please call the Water Resources Analyst at 707-257-9309 or email them. Current offerings include:
Water Treatment Plant Field Trip: Tour of the Edward I. Barwick Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant, either separately or as part of combined full-day trip in conjunction with Napa Recycling & Composting Facility and Napa Sanitation District Water Recycling Facility. Water Treatment Plant portion is 60-90 minutes including introductory discussion, escorted tour, and drinking water-related giveaways for students. Grades K-12. 40 students maximum. Tuesdays preferred. Transportation costs may be covered. [Tour is currently unavailable due to ongoing construction associated with the Plant Improvements Project.]
ALTERNATIVE FIELD TRIP: The Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant will be unavailable for student tours until October 20th of the 2010-2011 school year. In the interim, we encourage teachers and youth group leaders to arrange a tour of our Lake Hennessey Water Treatment Plant and nearby Solar Arrays. This half-day field trip will include discussion of Napa's three raw water sources, a short video presentation on water treatment and distribution, an escorted tour of the facility, and drinking water-related giveaways for students. A brief stop will be made at the Hennessey Pump Station Solar Arrays and alternative energy programs will be highlighted. Approximately 2 hours total time at Lake Hennessey site. Site is about 16 miles north of Napa. Allow 30 minutes travel time each way.
Classroom Presentation: 40-60 minute interactive presentation on fresh water supply issues affecting California and Napa. Emphasis is on water conservation methods. Includes brainstorming contest on ways to save water in the home and conservation-related giveaways for students. Grades K-12.
Water Week Teaching Kit: Free kit includes Teacher's Guide and up to 35 student workbooks. Divided into 5 days, program may be completed in a week using one class period per day, or exercises may simply be assigned as they fit into the overall science curriculum. Subjects include water supply, the water cycle, water usage, conservation, and pollution prevention. Grades 3-6.
The fourth edition of EECNC's Environmental Education Guide is now available. The Guide describes an amazing array of field trips, guest speakers, and service projects available from more than 25 local agencies, non-profits, and businesses. A Content by Grade Level index helps teachers correlate program offerings with curriculum standards. City of Napa Water Division offerings are listed on pages 20-21 of the Guide.
Teachers and youth group leaders should also visit the CREEC web site to find additional environmental education opportunities.
Other Water Education Web Sites:
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