Update On Discolored Water In St. Helena: City Continues To Address

Press release from the City of St. Helena:

ST. HELENA, CA — Dear Residents and Water Customers of St. Helena,

As we have previously referenced, it is our goal to continue to keep the community updated on the actions that the City is taking to address the discolored water that some residents and businesses are experiencing.

City staff and elected leaders are committed to ensuring that the water provided to residents and businesses is consistently clear. The Public Works Department continues to make short-term progress, while working towards long-term fixes and goals.

Watch the September 12, 2023, City Council meeting discussion with Joe Leach, PE, Public Works Director for the City of St. Helena.

CURRENT ACTIONS:

• Systematic Hydrant Flushing: Over the last few weeks the Water Division has continued its hydrant flushing program. This has allowed them to focus on specific areas of the City, isolate issues, and work to mitigate problems.
  • The team flushes hydrants regularly and is testing specific sections of the City at least three days a week to determine which areas may need additional flushing.

PLANNING:

• The City is seeking to contract with four primary firms to help improve water quality in the short and long-term. Tasks include:
  • Cleaning, surface preparation, and recoating the Clear Well and Tank 1A.
  • Replacing and/or cleaning and recoating the intake piping and pumps for the Clear Well.
  • Inspection and cleaning of piping between the Clear Well and Tank 1A.
  • Analysis (and potential cleaning/replacement) of the filters at the treatment plant.

TIMELINE:

• While a specific timeline is still being developed with a multitude of specialized partners, water clarity for many continues to improve.
• Next 15 to 45 Days: Staff will continue to review, negotiate, and execute contracts with vendors. Once those contracts are signed specific timelines for inspections, analysis, and replacements will be finalized. Additional interim solutions may also be implemented.
• Next 60 to 100 Days: As we enter the lower demand period, a complete rehabilitation of the Clear Well and Tank 1A, as well as additional inspection and cleaning of piping can take place.
• 100 Days to 5 Years: Implementation of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects will increase the resiliency of the water system.

WATER TESTING:

• The City continues to comply with both state and federal regulations when it comes to testing the water coming from the treatment plant and throughout the distribution system.
• To learn more about the types of tests and information gathered regularly you can review the 2022 Annual Consumer Confidence Report.

WATER USE:

• Water Use: Residents who experience cloudy or discolored water can run cold tap water to help flush the system within their homes. As you run the tap water, consider running it into a bucket and using that water for exterior landscaping.

HOW IS THE WORK FUNDED:

• The total cost for these urgent, non-scheduled repairs is expected to be more than $1 million. These fixes were not anticipated and not budgeted for.
• CORRECTION: In our previous Community Alert we referenced that the City’s General Fund cannot be used for these types of repairs. While it is rare, the General Fund can supplement the Water Enterprise Fund for these types of repairs as needed. The Water Enterprise Fund may or may not, then repay the City over time.

REPORTING ISSUES:

• PLEASE continue to report water quality issues as this real-time information is critical to our weekly assessment/strategy for systematic flushing:
  • Email: enviro-tech@cityofsthelena.org OR
  • Call 707-968-2658 (M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or 707-967-2850 (after hours)

CONTINUED UPDATES:

• We will continue to provide updates via email, through our local news outlets, and posts on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), and Nextdoor.

This press release was produced by the City of St. Helena government. The views expressed here are the author's own.