Wastewater Utility Treatment Operations Fund Expenditures
Enterprise Fund 62 Department 4515
Department Overview
The Wastewater Treatment Operations Division in the Public Works Department accounts for the funding for the operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WWRF). The WWRF treats the wastewater generated by residential and commercial customers of the Town, the Veteran’s Home of California - Yountville (Home), and Domaine Chandon in the unincorporated Napa County.
Facilities for Wastewater treatment operations include the WWRF, storage ponds, and recycled water facilities which include 5.5 miles of recycled water distribution pipelines and the effluent outfall that allows tertiary Title 22 unrestricted and disinfected secondary 2.2 effluent to be discharged to the Napa River per the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. This permit was renegotiated, renewed, and became effective on December 1, 2020. This document will serve as a regulatory road map for wastewater operations for the next five (5) years.
Approximately 50% of the division’s expenses are paid under the terms of the agreement with the Veterans Home based on flow, solids loading, and strength of influent determined by weekly testing as required in the agreement with the Veterans Home. The remainder of the operating funding is provided through ratepayer service charges and interest income.
The WWRF operation is staffed with a Utility Operations Manager, and three certified Utility Operators in compliance with the December 1, 2020, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for the WWRF. The NPDES Permit that is valid for the next five years includes new regulatory requirements for the WWRF. Town staff, with consultant assistance, compile a Report of Waste Discharge (ROWD) and several other documents that make up the annual document package required by the NPDES Permit.
Calendar year 2021 recycle water deliveries were +/-347 acre-feet of recycled water to our recycled water users who consist of five vineyard customers located in the unincorporated Napa County areas adjacent to Finnell Road and along Silverado Trail, Vintner’s Golf Course and the truck filling station . This is approximately 94% of the total wastewater inflow. The other 6% consists of water in our pond system and water that is discharged to the river under strict permit conditions during periods of high flow.
Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Accomplishments
- The Town implemented year five of the five-year water and wastewater utility rates that were adopted by Town Council on February 20, 2018. This includes a 12% wastewater rate increase.
- Continued with SCADA implementation to link critical processes of the Wastewater Treatment Plant to allow for remote monitoring and operations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated facilities.
Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Goals and Objectives
- Continue with SCADA implementation to link critical processes of the Wastewater Treatment Plant to allow for remote monitoring and operations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated facilities.
- Continue development of internal operating policies and procedures.
- Continue to use iWorQ Asset Management Platform, GIS, and other platforms to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Complete 2022 Utility Rate Study.
Budget Highlights
- The Town is saving $12,525 as the result of paying off the interest-free Energy Efficiency Loan with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for the methane gas recapture project. The final payment on this loan will be in June 2022.
Did You Know?
- In Fiscal Year 2021/2022, 94% of the treated recycled water was distributed to local agricultural vineyard and golf course customers for irrigation purposes. This is a great public-private partnership and beneficial reuse of recycled water.
- During an average day, it takes approximately 28 gallons of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine/bleach) to disinfect 300,000 gallons of treated effluent.
Department Expenditures
Full-time Staff Allocations
*Deputy Director of HR & IT previously titled Management Analyst II.
Performance Measures
The Town of Yountville considers it crucial to measure how individual department activity ties into the overall Town Strategic Plan. The Wastewater Treatment Operations Department focuses on one of the Town's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors: