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1. What are the capacity charges for a single family dwelling?

The capacity charge for a single family dwelling from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 is $9,624.

2. What is a dwelling unit?

NapaSan defines separate dwelling units to include a living space with a kitchen. Examples of dwelling units include, but are not limited to:

• Apartments
• Condos
• Duplexes
• Single family homes

3. What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

An ADU is a secondary dwelling with complete living facilities for one or more persons that can be attached, detached, or re-purpose existing space.

4. What are the capacity charges for an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

Capacity charges for ADUs are waived if the unit is under 499 square feet, and based upon square footage for all other units. Section 5.02.030 (PDF) of the NapaSan Code lists the capacity charge assessments for different types of residential units.

5. How do changes to existing residential structures affect capacity charges?

Renovations within single family dwellings or multiple family dwellings will not trigger additional capacity charges, except where additional dwelling units are added to the property.

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1. What is recycled water?

Recycled water is wastewater that has been purified through a series of treatment processes. Recycled water can provide a sustainable supply of water for agricultural and many other uses. Most treatment systems utilize three treatment processes in the production of recycled water:

1. Primary treatment, which removes all debris and inorganic material from the water
2. Secondary treatment, which is a biological treatment process where microorganisms consume all organic material
3. Tertiary treatment, which polishes the water through filtration and disinfects the water through the use of chlorine or ultraviolet light

According to the California Water Recycling Criteria, tertiary-treated recycled water is safe for all human contact except drinking. In the Napa area, recycled water is produced by NapaSan at the Soscol Water Recycling Facility, located along the Napa River just south of the Highway 29 bridge. After entering the plant, wastewater from homes and businesses undergoes the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment process. Throughout the process, samples are taken and tested in a state-of-the-art laboratory to ensure high-quality water.

2. How can recycled water be used?

The California Water Recycling Criteria (encoded in Title 22 of the California Code of Administration) allow 43 specified uses of recycled water, including irrigation of all types of food crops, parks and schools, golf courses, and landscaping. These criteria include different water quality requirements for different types of irrigation. NapaSan’s recycled water meets the highest quality standard, “Unrestricted Use.”

In addition to crops and landscaping, the criteria also outline recycled water use for industrial applications such as cooling towers and toilet flushing. In specific instances recycled water can also be used for groundwater recharge. California’s regulations are among the most stringent in the world and have been used as a model for many other countries’ guidelines and water reuse regulations.

In the Napa Valley, recycled water is used to irrigate golf courses, vineyards, landscaping, pastureland, parks, playing fields, and a cemetery. Using recycled water for irrigation in place of potable or groundwater helps conserve water resources.

3. What should I do if my sewer is backed up?

Call us first! If the problem is in our sewer lines, we can save you the cost of a plumber’s visit. Call NapaSan at 707-258-6000, ext. 9, anytime of night or day. Our answering service will take your name, address, and telephone number, and a member of our crew will call you back or be on your doorstep within 30 minutes.

4. What are NapaSan’s responsibilities?

NapaSan provides wastewater collection, treatment, and water recycling services to residents of the City of Napa and surrounding unincorporated areas. NapaSan maintains the sewer mainlines and laterals (the pipeline that runs from the mainline to a property) up to the property line. View an example diagram of mainlines and laterals (JPEG).

5. I have slow drainage through my toilets, showers, and sinks. What can I do about it?

The first thing to do is to contact NapaSan at 707-258-6000, ext. 9. A NapaSan crewmember will come to your house to determine if the problem is the responsibility of NapaSan or the property owner. If the problem is in our line, we’ll take care of it immediately. If the crewmember discovers that the problem is in the property owner’s lateral sewer line or plumbing fixtures, you may need to make repairs yourself or call a plumber.

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1. Where can I buy an Overflow Protection Device?

The Overflow Protection Device is available at plumbing supply stores.

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1. What is recycled water?

Recycled water is wastewater that has been purified through a series of treatment processes. Recycled water can provide a sustainable supply of water for agricultural and many other uses. Most treatment systems utilize three treatment processes in the production of recycled water:

1. Primary treatment, which removes all debris and inorganic material from the water
2. Secondary treatment, which is a biological treatment process where microorganisms consume all organic material
3. Tertiary treatment, which polishes the water through filtration and disinfects the water through the use of chlorine or ultraviolet light

According to the California Water Recycling Criteria, tertiary-treated recycled water is safe for all human contact except drinking. In the Napa area, recycled water is produced by the Napa Sanitation District at the Soscol Water Recycling Facility, located along the Napa River just south of the Highway 29 bridge. After entering the plant, wastewater from homes and businesses undergoes the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment process. Throughout the process, samples are taken and tested in a state-of-the-art laboratory to ensure high-quality water.

2. Who sets health standards for recycled water?

The California Department of Public Health (DPH) establishes and enforces the standards for recycled water. The DPH has established water quality standards and treatment reliability criteria for recycled water. These regulations guide the production, distribution, and use of recycled water.

Both the District and the customers using the water for irrigation must meet State requirements for recycled water. The District’s Recycled Water Program has been approved by the DPH, and any expanded program will be too. In addition, the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards issues water recycling permits based on the established DPH regulations.

In addition to meeting standards to protect human health, Napa Sanitation District’s recycled water is also analyzed to ensure it meets “agronomic standards.” This means that the water must be tested for parameters and constituents that are relevant to growing crops, such as total salinity, sodium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. This information is provided to recycled water users so that they can adjust fertilization and irrigation practices to most successfully use recycled water.

3. How can recycled water be used?

The California Water Recycling Criteria (encoded in Title 22 of the California Code of Administration) allow 43 specified uses of recycled water, including irrigation of all types of food crops, parks and schools, golf courses, and landscaping. These criteria include different water quality requirements for different types of irrigation. The District’s recycled water meets the highest quality standard, “Unrestricted Use.”

In addition to crops and landscaping, the criteria also outline recycled water use for industrial applications such as cooling towers and toilet flushing. In specific instances recycled water can also be used for groundwater recharge. California’s regulations are among the most stringent in the world and have been used as a model for many other countries’ guidelines and water reuse regulations.

In the Napa Valley, recycled water is used to irrigate golf courses, vineyards, landscaping, pastureland, parks, playing fields, and a cemetery. Using recycled water for irrigation in place of potable or groundwater helps conserve water resources.

4. What will happen if children or pets come into contact with recycled water?

Recycled water is almost as pure as drinking water. It has been carefully treated and has been disinfected to kill microorganisms, making recycled water safe to use for irrigation. Recycled water has been used in agriculture since the 1880s and in California municipalities beginning in 1929. There has never been a documented disease or incidence of other adverse public health effect in the United States related to the use of recycled water that meets established standards.

Even if your child or pet swallowed recycled water, it should not cause illness. However, it still contains very small concentrations of some constituents and salts that prevent it from meeting California’s strict drinking water standards. Special precautions are taken to keep recycled water separate from drinking water.

5. How is recycled water kept separate from potable water?

To protect public safety, regulations require that recycled water facilities be completely separate from drinking water systems. Guidelines set by the California Department of Health Services require recycled water facilities to be clearly distinguishable from potable water facilities to avoid mixing the two supplies. Pipes and other hardware for recycled water systems are colored purple and labeled with words "Recycled Water, Do Not Drink."

In addition, the District requires “cross-connection” monitoring for its recycled water users. This monitoring insures that recycled water does not become connected to a potable water pipeline when new plumbing is added to a property where recycled water is used. Likewise, backflow protection devices may be required to prevent any contamination from a customer from flowing back into the recycled water supply.

6. What are the benefits of using recycled water?

Using recycled water for irrigation helps to conserve drinking water supplies and provides a drought-resistant water supply to the Napa area for agricultural and landscaping irrigation. It can also protect the groundwater table when recycled water is used in place of groundwater pumping. Use of recycled water can also protect community and private investments in parks and landscaping during times of drought. Utilizing recycled water is also environmentally beneficial because it allows reuse of this valuable resource in place of discharge of treated wastewater into the Napa River.

Recycled water can also conserve energy when it is used in place of imported water sources that require significant amounts of energy for pumping. This conserved energy translates into a reduction in the carbon footprint when recycled water is used for irrigation. Recycled water also provides a significant portion of the nutrients needed by crops and landscaping, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and micronutrients, which can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.

7. What is the cost of recycled water?

The current price of recycled water is adjusted each year in January according to a formula based on the Consumer Price Index. In 2011, the District completed a recycled water rate study to determine the best way to pay for system improvements to increase production of recycled water, and this resulted in a new methodology (PDF) for setting recycled water rates, which went into effect in 2016. In addition, new users of recycled water may have to pay for construction of the pipeline to bring the recycled water to their property. Current recycled water rates can be found here: https://www.napasan.com/158/Recycled-Water.

8. How reliable is the recycled water supply?

Although total wastewater flows may be reduced slightly, recycled water supplies are virtually 100% reliable during drought events. This is because wastewater flows are primarily generated by indoor water uses which are not reduced significantly during drought conditions compared to outdoor uses. In addition, in cases where the recycled water use is replacing the use of potable water, this increases the reliability of potable supplies.

9. Where is recycled water available?

Currently, the Napa Sanitation District provides recycled water along two main pipelines (PDF) to the southeast and north of the Soscol Water Recycling Facility. Customers include Gateway Park, Eagle Vines, Chardonnay Golf Clubs, and some District-owned properties in the southeast area. The service area north of the treatment plant includes Napa Valley Corporate Park, Kennedy Park, Napa Valley Memorial Park, Napa Municipal Golf Course, and Napa Valley College.

The District’s recent expansion efforts include constructing a recycled water pipeline through Napa State Hospital (NSH) to Skyline Park. This will reduce potable demand for landscaping irrigation at NSH by 200 acre-feet per year once their irrigation system is connected. 

Napa County has also asked the District to oversee the design of a pipeline that could carry recycled water from Skyline Park to the water-deficient Milliken-Sarco-Tulocay (MST) area. If constructed, the MST pipeline could potentially be paid for by prospective recycled water users in the area, primarily vineyards and a golf course. Additional potential future expansion includes delivering recycled water to the Carneros area and Stanly Ranch.

10. When is recycled water available?

Recycled water is available during the dry season, from May 1 to October 31. During the wet season, from November 1 through April 30, when water is typically not needed for irrigation, treated wastewater is discharged into the Napa River.  River discharge is carried out under a permit from the State Water Resources Control Board.  Water quality of the discharge and the river is monitored constantly and must meet standards that protect human health and aquatic life. Recycled water can be made available from November 1 to April 30 by working with Napa Sanitation Department to schedule delivery.

11. Is recycled water available in the Coombsville / Milliken-Sarco-Tulocay (MST) area?

An effort is underway to bring recycled water to the water-short Coombsville / Milliken-Sarco-Tulocay (MST) area. Landowners who wish to receive recycled water (both commercial and residential) have joined a Community Facilities District and will be assessed fees to provide funding for pipeline construction. Participation in the recycled water project is voluntary. For more information, visit the County of Napa’s MST website.

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1. What should I do if my sewer is backed up?

Call us first! If the problem is in our sewer lines, we can save you the cost of a plumber’s visit. Call NapaSan at 707-258-6000, ext. 9, anytime of night or day. Our answering service will take your name, address, and telephone number, and a member of our crew will call you back or be on your doorstep within 30 minutes.

2. Who do I call for garbage collection service?

Garbage collection service in the Napa area is provided by Napa Recycling and Waste Services. You can sign up for service by calling 707-255-5200.

3. What about paint; can I pour that down the drain?

Paint should not go down the drain. Neither should solvents, pesticides, automotive fluids including oil, or any of a range of potentially toxic products. These products can all be disposed of at the Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Learn how to get rid of other household products that should not do down the drain on the Pollution Prevention page.

4. What are NapaSan’s responsibilities?

NapaSan provides wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal as well as water recycling services to residents of the City of Napa and surrounding unincorporated areas. NapaSan maintains the sewer mainlines and laterals (the pipeline that runs from the mainline to a property) up to the property line. View an example diagram of mainlines and laterals (JPEG).

5. What part of the sewer am I responsible for?

The property owner is responsible for maintaining the lateral line (JPEG) from the property line to the house/building. Customers are also responsible for protecting the sewer lines by preventing clogs. Please read about Pollution Prevention! You might also want to learn more about overflow prevention.

6. Why do we pay sewer fees?

The fees you pay to NapaSan cover the cost of wastewater collection and treatment (Sewer Service Charges), and the cost of improving NapaSan's facilities to meet increasing demand (Capacity Charge). See a thorough description of our Rates and Fees.

7. Is there any assistance for low-income households?

NapaSan provides a discount on sewer service fees per unit for low-income owner-occupied homes and for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide housing to low income renters. To qualify, homeowners and organizations must meet certain criteria. Learn more about the Low Income Assistance Program.

8. How can I connect to an existing sewer?

To connect to an existing NapaSan sewer line, your property must be within NapaSan’s service area, you must get a permit from NapaSan, and you must pay all fees and connection charges. NapaSan will review the design for lateral lines to make sure they meet our requirements. See our Permits and Connection Information for more details. If your property is not within NapaSan’s service area, you must also go through an annexation process.

9. Can I tour the wastewater treatment plant?

NapaSan offers free tours of the Soscol Water Recycling Facility, which offers tertiary wastewater treatment and water recycling. These tours are available to school groups, organizations, service clubs and businesses, or anyone with an interest in wastewater treatment and water quality. Tours can be tailored to suit specific age groups, knowledge, and interest levels. Call 707-258-6002 to schedule a tour for your group. We also offer tours during our annual open house.

10. I know I shouldn’t flush old medications down the toilet; where can I take them?

That’s right; even advanced wastewater treatment processes can’t remove medications (known as pharmaceuticals) from wastewater. Traces of medications that pass through the treatment plant can harm aquatic organisms and potentially affect people. To reduce the threat of medications in the environment, dispose of them at a collection facility. To see a list of drug take back bin locations, visit https://www.napasan.com/156/Pollution-Prevention  and click on the Medications tab.

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1. What is an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU)?

An Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) is the typical volume and strength of the wastewater generated by a single family home. One EDU = 188 gallons of wastewater per day or 68,620 gallons per year with a strength factor of 1.0.   This formula is for FY 2021/22 sewer service charges.

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1. Who is responsible for sewer repairs?

Napa Sanitation Department (NSD) maintains all public sewer mains, and lower laterals within its service area (PDF), which includes the City of Napa and certain surrounding unincorporated areas. This includes 270 miles of sewer mainline that are generally located within public streets or easements dedicated for Napa Sanitation District use.

Each residential or commercial building has a separate connection to the public sewer main line which is called a sewer lateral. Each sewer lateral has two components:

• Lower lateral (District’s responsibility)
• Upper lateral (Property owner’s responsibility)

The Sewer Mainlines and Laterals diagram (JPEG) illustrates the difference between the property owner’s sewer lateral and the District’s lower lateral and sewer main lines.

It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain and repair the upper sewer lateral from the house to the property line cleanout (indicated in yellow in the linked diagram). Napa Sanitation District maintains the lower sewer lateral and main line (indicated in green in the linked diagram). The cleanout is typically located behind the property line and is the connection point between the upper and lower lateral. This cleanout is designed to go one direction (downstream) and cannot be used by homeowners or plumbers to clean the upper lateral. The cap on this cleanout is designed to fit loosely, allowing it to come off in the event of a backup in the lower lateral or sewer main.

An exception to this division of ownership is in areas where pipes were slip-lined by the District and the cleanout at the property line was removed. In that case, the District maintains the lateral all the way to the cleanout near the building. Unsure if your property falls into this category? Call the District at 707-258-6000.

2. How can I find out where a sewer problem is?

When a sewer backup or other problem occurs, call the Napa Sanitation District at 707-258-6000, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and a Napa Sanitation District (NSD) crew member will come out and inspect the public sewer main and lower lateral, free of charge. In many cases it will not be obvious whether the property owner or NSD is responsible for the problem. If the problem is in the District’s portion of the sewer system (PDF), we’ll repair the problem as soon as possible. If the District’s sewer line is clear, the property owner will be informed that the blockage is probably in the upper sewer lateral. In this case, the property owner is responsible for maintenance or repair and may still need to call a plumber.

Caution

When trying to locate a sewer problem, never open manholes or other NSD structures. Due to potential hazards, only NSD personnel are authorized to open and inspect these structures.

3. Sewage is backing up into my house/building through overflowing toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dishwasher, and/or washing machines. What should I do?

If this problem occurs, stop using water immediately. If you are not using your household water outlets, there may be a problem in the public sewer main. Call 707-258-6000, ext. 9 to request emergency service.

4. Sewage is overflowing from a cleanout or manhole onto the ground, driveway, street, etc. What should I do?

Overflow devices (clean-outs) are usually located at the property line (approximately 10 to 12 feet from the curb) and near the building. There is a 4-inch cap on top of the vertical pipe that should be left on loosely. The purpose of the clean-out is to allow sewage from a plugged sewer line to overflow outside instead of inside the building, as well as provide access for cleaning. If sewage is flowing from a clean-out, call 707-258-6000, ext. 9 to request emergency service.

Manhole structures are usually located in the middle of the street and also provide access for cleaning and pipe inspection. Napa Sanitation District (NSD) manhole structures are marked with "NSD" or "Sanitary Sewer" on top. If sewage is coming up through an NSD manhole, call 707-258-6000, ext. 9 for emergency service.

5. What is the difference between the sewer system and the storm drain system?

Storm drains collect and carry rainwater and other outdoor runoff from the street directly to a creek or the river. Water carried in the storm drain system does not flow to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment. Storm drains are located under curb openings in the gutter. They are usually covered with a grate or slotted piece of metal. Some solid round covers are marked with "S" or "Storm Drain." The City of Napa Department of Public Works is responsible for problems with storm drains and can be reached at 707-257-9520.

6. I have slow drainage through my toilets, showers, and sinks. What can I do about it?

The first thing to do is to contact the Napa Sanitation District (NSD) at 707-258-6000, ext. 9. An NSD crewmember will come to your house to determine if the problem is the responsibility of NSD or the property owner. If the problem is in our line, we’ll take care of it immediately. If NSD crews discover that the problem is in the property owner’s lateral sewer line or plumbing fixtures, you may need to make repairs yourself or call a plumber.

7. I paid a plumber to repair my sewer lateral line. It turns out the problem was occurring in the public sewer line. Can I be reimbursed for my plumbing bill?

No; this is why we encourage homeowners to contact Napa Sanitation District (NSD) first at 707-258-6000, ext. 9 when a sewer problem occurs. NSD crewmembers can determine who is responsible for the maintenance or repair prior to repairs being made. If the problem is in NSD’s portion (PDF) of the sewer, we’ll repair it. However, if the problem is in the property owner’s portion of the sewer line, a plumber may still be necessary. Call us first!

8. How do I proceed with a sewer lateral repair problem?

If the sewer problem is found to be in the upper sewer lateral (JPEG) (between the building and cleanout at the property line), the property owner is responsible for repair and can hire a plumbing contractor or make the repairs themselves. Contractors are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Plumbing Drain and Sewer Cleaning" or "Sewer Contractors." If you plan to hire a contractor, we recommend getting estimates from more than one company.

Before doing any work on a sewer line, including installing a cleanout, you need to obtain an Inspection Permit from the Napa Sanitation District. More information on how to get a permit is available by calling us at 707-258-6000. Cleaning a lateral line through an existing cleanout does not require a permit. Once you are aware of a sewer lateral problem, it should be repaired as soon as possible. Sewer laterals that leak or overflow are a public health risk and may cause damage to the environment.

9. How can I avoid damage to other utilities during repairs or construction?

When digging to make sewer line repairs or for construction, it is important to know where other utilities are located to avoid damaging lines. Napa Sanitation District (NSD) belongs to a utility line locating service called Underground Service Alert (USA). Whenever a call is made to USA at 800-227-2600, NSD is notified and will come out, free of charge, to mark the location of our utility lines. Call first; it’s the law!

Sewer System Marking

Please note that NSD only marks the portion of the sewer system that is our responsibility. We do not mark the portion of the lateral that is the property owner’s responsibility.

10. A contractor or utility worker broke my sewer lateral or sewer main line. What should I do?

The District repairs broken lateral sewer connections to mains and sewer mains that are broken by private contractors or utilities (PG&E, plumbers, etc). The contractor or utility is responsible for notifying the District immediately, but if they do not, residents should call Napa Sanitation District at 707-258-6000. Please be prepared to provide the address or location so that a crew can be dispatched to make repairs.

11. Is there information available on the history or cleaning frequency of a sewer line?

The District has a Sewer Maintenance Scheduling System and can provide historical information to property owners or realtors on sewer lines serving homes and businesses. The Sewer Maintenance Scheduling System provides information about the last time a particular sewer line was cleaned and the frequency of the cleaning schedule. Call the District at 707-258-6000 for more information.

12. There is a manhole cover in my neighborhood that rattles every time a vehicle drives over it. What can I do about it?

NSD has two main types of sewer access structures:

1. A manhole that varies in size from 25 to 42 inches in diameter
2. A rodding inlet, which is round or oval and ranges in size from 9 to 18 inches

Both structures have solid covers and are normally imprinted on top with "NSD” or “Sewer." Occasionally, there may be a separation between the base and the cover of the manhole or rodding inlet, causing the cover to rattle when a vehicle drives over it. To report a rattling manhole or rodding inlet cover, call the District at 707-258-6000.

13. What can I do about terrible sewer odors?

First, try to determine where the odor is coming from; inside the home or outside in the street. If an odor is coming from inside the home, there may be a problem with the internal plumbing system. Check your internal system first, such as ensuring that all of your p-trap drains have water in them, or call a plumbing company. If the problem exists outdoors, call the District at 707-258-6000.

14. How can I get a sewer clean-out installed?

Contact the District at 707-258-6000 to request the installation of a District cleanout. Typically, the cleanout will be installed near the property line. A vertical pipe (riser) will be connected to the existing sewer lateral. A utility box will be set around the top of the pipe to grade. This allows ease of access for cleaning the lateral. There is no cost for this service, but installation will be according to the District’s schedule and available resources.