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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.