Sewer Service Charge Allocation

The pie chart and the list below describe how the Sewer Service Charge revenues are spent through NapaSan's budget.

Capital Projects: 34%

A large portion of your Sewer Service Charge goes toward the replacement of existing capital items.  These include replacement of sewer pipe along city streets as well as replacement of worn out pumps, tanks, aerators and other equipment that make the sewer and wastewater treatment systems function properly.

Collection System: 8%

This pays for the maintenance of the sewer pipes that run from your home or business to the Soscol Water Recycling Facility, the District’s treatment plant near the Napa Airport. This includes sewer line cleaning and prompt response to any sewer system overflows. It also pays for the “Call Us First” program: if you have a problem with your drains, you can call the District 24 hours a day, seven days a week and someone will be at your house within 30 minutes to determine if the problem is in our sewer lines, or if you need a plumber.  

Soscol Water Recycling Facility (wastewater treatment plant): 20%

This pays for the treatment of everything that goes down your drains into the sewer. Our state-of-the-art treatment plant requires significant amounts of electricity and chemicals to remove solids and clean the water. By providing high quality wastewater treatment, we protect public health and prevent pollution of the Napa River, where the treated water is disposed.

Water Recycling and Biosolids: 2%

The Soscol Water Recycling Facility can treat wastewater to the degree that it can be safely reused for irrigation or industrial purposes.  This pays for maintaining the pipe system that delivers recycled water to customers, such as vineyards and golf courses. During the wastewater treatment process, solids are also removed and treated, and these are called biosolids. This budget includes paying for disposal of biosolids by applying them on pastureland owned by the District.

Pollution Prevention: 1%

This pays for efforts to educate our customers, both residents and businesses, about reducing harmful pollutants. These pollutants include things such as fats, oils and grease from homes and restaurants that can clog sewer lines, and dangerous materials like mercury and pesticides that cannot be removed by the wastewater treatment plant.

Administration: 8%

This pays for the people and things necessary to run the day-to-day operations of the District, such as accounting services, computers, office supplies, utilities and the general management.

Engineering and Development Services: 4%

This pays for the skilled engineering staff at the District who design sewer facilities and review new development projects to insure they connect properly to the sewer system.  

Insurance and Legal Services: 2%

Just as you carry insurance on your home and vehicle, the District also carries insurance on its assets. Legal services insure that the District conducts its business in accordance with the law.  

Debt Service: 21%

These are the annual payments the District makes on its loans.  The loans were taken out to pay for expansion of the wastewater treatment plant in 1998, the water reuse system (recycled water used for irrigation) in 2001, and for sewer pipe projects.  This also includes payments on long-term liabilities related to unfunded liabilities for pensions and other post-employment benefits.