Council to return Dec. 9 with options for Magnolia Oaks potable irrigation connection

Residents of the Magnolia Oaks subdivision, many of whom have been without the development’s irrigation water since September 2024, pressed the City Council for an immediate pathway to connect irrigation lines to the city’s potable water supply. Staff presented an approach that would require abandoning the defunct well and purple‑pipe irrigation lateral, ensuring appropriate backflow protection, and coordinating with Napa County and the well-owner for well abandonment.

Homeowners explained they already have certified backflow devices and said a practical fix would be to cap the purple‑pipe lateral at the meter and tee off the existing potable service so drip irrigation can resume. Staff acknowledged that many residents have backflow devices but said the device location and configuration need verification to protect both the city’s potable distribution and the household plumbing; staff also noted that abandonment of the nonpotable system is the responsibility of the well owner and/or subject to county enforcement, per easement terms noted in the staff report.

Council directed staff to return on December 9 with (1) verified inspection results for existing backflow devices and recommended location(s); (2) an estimate of costs to the city and to homeowners for required work (permits, backflow relocation/installation); (3) legal options to require the well-owner to abandon the failed well and remove or cap the purple-pipe lateral; and (4) an assessment of whether, and under what conditions, fee reductions or exemptions for current residents would be appropriate. The motion to continue the matter to Dec. 9 passed unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will inspect backflow devices and the irrigation service layout, produce bottom-line cost estimates and a recommended technical approach for a Dec. 9 report back to the council.