Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: 8B
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: John Ferons, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: John Ferons, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Continue the Emergency Declaration for the Town of Yountville Recycled Water Transmission Main Repair pursuant to Yountville Municipal Code 3.32.390.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Town of Yountville Municipal Code 3.32.390, Town Staff shall continue to make reports to Town Council at each regularly scheduled Town Council meeting until the emergency action is terminated by the Town Council. Town Council heard an Administrative Report at the February 21, 2023, Council meeting and determined the need to declare the emergency.
For reference, the Town’s Wastewater Enterprise owns and operates a Recycled Water Transmission Main that delivers treated wastewater to various vineyard pond customers located on both the east and west sides of the Napa River. That transmission main is a 6-inch PVC pipe that traverses the floor of the Napa Valley from the treatment plant on the west side of the valley to various recycled water customers located on the east side of the valley. It was installed in 1977 and has been in continuous use since its inception. In one location the pipe crosses underneath the Napa River in a direct bury format; it is not installed within a casing pipe or encased in any protective concrete. It is at this location, after a series of significant atmospheric river storms in early 2023 dramatically affected the flow in the Napa River and it is underneath the Napa River, that a leak has been discovered.
Update:
1. The permitted, temporary river crossing to deliver recycled water to the east side of the river to maintain service to Yountville’s recycled water customers remains in place and active.
2. Staff is now coordinating a field meeting with the drilling contractor and vineyard owner/operator to discuss minimizing impacts to the construction.
3. The Town’s contract wildlife biologist has been on site conducting the required bird nesting surveys as required by the Dept of Fish and Wildlife Streambed Alteration Agreement and has not identified species that will affect the construction schedule.
4. Emergency status remains in place to help assist and ensure all adequate funding sources are available.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
CEQA Cat Ex Class 1, Existing Facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? No
Is it Currently Budgeted? Yes
Where is it Budgeted? WW-0042; 63-4518-5100; Recycled Water Transmission Main Repair Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Mandatory
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal