LOCATION: Napa, CA
DESCRIPTION: Integrated Water Services, Inc. (IWS) has completed the improvements to the wastewater ponds located at the Silverado Vineyards Winery facility on Silverado Trail in Napa, CA.

The project improvements were designed by Summit Engineering of Windsor, CA to construct two larger more efficient treatment ponds out of the existing three ponds. The scope of work included re-lining of the ponds, adding new aeration equipment, and upgrading the pumping, electrical and screening components of the treatment system.

Silverado Vineyards is located east of Yountville, California in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Ron and Diane Miller chose to purchase land with existing vineyards in the mid1970s after a long time romance with the Valley. Although the Millers’ original intention was to only grow grapes, it wasn’t long before they began construction of their own winery on the property in 1981. Architect Dick Keith designed the old California mission style structure, which is often mistaken for an actual restoration. The winery has acquired a total of seven family owned vineyards located in various districts throughout the Valley. Silverado produces Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The project site overlooks Silverado’s Vineyards to the north. Initially the plan had been to line one pond with concrete and possibly to re-use clay that was present in the ponds for relining of the second pond. IWS met with the project team and along with the Owners, reviewed the lining and clay re-use plan. The scope of work was revised at that time, due to schedule, material and cost management interests and HDPE liners were ultimately selected for use in lining both ponds.

IWS maintained operation in one pond while the other two remaining ponds were taken out of service and then combined into one larger pond. Once work on the larger pond was completed, and put back into service, IWS isolated the remaining pond and completed the work on it. After the ponds were drained and the sludge removed, IWS carefully removed any recoverable clays and excavated the remaining soils which were staged onsite for future off-haul. Over 10,000 yards of soils were excavated and hauled to Napa County for reuse as landfill cover to support their operations.

The ponds were reshaped to meet design and capacity requirements. The scope included installation of subsurface groundwater drains, which were connected to a sump for collection and removal of groundwater. New 60 mil HDPE liners were installed which included ladders, vents, distribution assemblies, staff gauges, and liner testing.

A new aeration system was supplied by E.P Aeration (www.epaeration.com) and was installed as well as transfer and overflow piping. IWS also upgraded the rotary screen for solids removal and the electrical system and pumps for reuse of treated wastewater.

A new storm drain system was installed to collect runoff from the facility/project site and convey the stormwater to another area of the project site. IWS installed new fencing and regraded and improved the pond access roads.

Once the work was completed, the system was put into full operation aftePond under constructionr final testing and start-up. General Manager, Russ Weiss, reflected on IWS’ project performance: “We are completely satisfied with the work that IWS did, the effort they made to bring this project together, and would recommend them to other facilities and we would certainly bring them back to work for Silverado again”.

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