July 15, 2021

In this issue:

Water 101

Friends & Neighbors -

This newsletter takes a deep dive into everything water. The County’s commitment to water is nothing new - we’ve been collecting data dating back to 1960. The fact is we’re in a drought, we’re in a very dry year, but we’re taking action to protect our water resources.

We need to protect our water resources. As your Supervisor, I will continue to make decisions based on the facts and data to ensure we have sustainable water resources for today’s generation and tomorrow’s. Our history shows that when we’re confronted with data, good or bad, we take action. We’re hoping next year is a wet year, but for now, we all need to do our part to conserve water and know we have a strong toolbelt monitoring our water supply that helps us make the best public policy for Napa County residents.

-Alfredo
Water Overview
County Annual Water Report
Deep dive into Groundwater Supply
The County of Napa annually studies and assesses our local groundwater conditions. While we have been monitoring groundwater dating back to 1960, in 2015 we aggregated our data and presented our first Annual Groundwater Report and have continued that to date.

Here are important facts:

Current Status Based on 2020 Report:
  • Napa Valley Sub-basin remains full
  • The sustainable yield (recharge) is estimated at between 17,000 and 20,000 acre-feet (AF) per year. The stability of water levels over the past 10 years indicates that the amount of groundwater extraction is balanced by the amount of groundwater recharge
  • The amount of groundwater in storage decreased in 2020 from 221,358 AF to 196,651 AF, consistent with a very dry water year

How do we monitor groundwater?:
  • Over 100 wells are monitored at least twice a year, geographically located throughout the County

What does this cost?:
  • The annual report costs $42,000 in addition to well monitoring
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Oversight and Accountability
The preparation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is required under the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). GSP's must be prepared for all State-designated medium and high priority groundwater basins and sub-basins. 

Here are important facts:
  • The Napa Valley sub-basin was designated as a medium priority by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in 2014
  • In 2020, the Napa Valley was re-designated as a high-priority groundwater sub-basin. The change in priority designation for the Napa Valley was not due to groundwater conditions. The high priority designation was based on changes in estimates for the Napa Valley regarding future population, the total number of wells, economic impact, and water quality

 What's the Goal?:
  • The goal of SGMA is to ensure that local or regional agencies have the necessary support and authority to properly manage groundwater resources
  • This is accomplished by the use of information and evaluations to protect communities, farms, and the environment against prolonged dry periods and climate change, and to preserve water supplies for existing and potential beneficial uses. GSP's must establish measurable criteria

Outcomes we're trying to avoid:

What's Next?:
  • The Board of Supervisors (BOS) established a GSP Advisory Committee and they will be submitting their recommendations to the BOS in October 2021
  • The GSP will be submitted to DWR in January 2022 by the BOS
  • Multiple Public Meetings will be held as the BOS reviews the GSP
Actions Taken
What are we doing now?
Watershed Monitoring
In 2017, the City and County of Napa entered into an agreement to study surface water quality within the municipal watersheds of the reservoirs.

What will this study do?:
  • The study will provide detailed and comprehensive data that can be used by both the City and the County to improve reservoir and land use management to better protect the public’s water supply
 
How will it happen?:
  • The study will collect water quality samples from 20 locations along streams that flow into Milliken and Hennessey reservoirs.  Samples are collected during storm events throughout the winter months and analyzed for nearly 30 different constituents

What is the Cost?:
  • The 2017 agreement commits both the City and County to each spend up to $200,000 annually to conduct this study

Special Acknowledgement:
  • I want to recognize former Mayor Jill Techel - we were able to work together to reach this proactive agreement, a great example of the County and City working together.
Cities Take Action
Here is what local Cities are doing to respond to the drought:

City of Napa:
  • Moderate Water Shortage Declaration-Goal to curb 15% of water consumption
  • Learn more here.
 
City of American Canyon:
  • Declared a Stage I Water Emergency
  • Learn more here.

City of Calistoga:
  • Declared a Stage II Water Emergency
  • Learn more here.

City of St. Helena:
  • Declared a Stage II Water Emergency
  • Learn more here.

Town of Yountville:
  • Declared Phase II Water Shortage Emergency
  • Learn more here.

We’re are in this together!
Contact Me
Cell: 707-225-2019
Alfredo.Pedroza@countyofnapa.org

Banner Photo Credit: Art by Hudson Kramer. Hudson is a student at New Technology High School and 2nd place winner of the Agricultural Commissioner’s Crop Report Art Contest, 2016.