Mark Rinc News Today

Prestwich said low water pressure was one reason St. Helena didn’t take the full 600 acre-feet. When Napa water flows north into St. Helena, the pressure needs to be sufficient to overcome the pressure of St. Helena’s own water system, which is pushing water south. The Rutherford pump station, which pumps Napa water into St. Helena, shuts down to prevent damage when pressure falls to a certain level, Prestwich said. After Napa switched its water source from Lake Hennessey to the Jamis...

Prestwich said low water pressure was one reason St. Helena didn’t take the full 600 acre-feet. When Napa water flows north into St. Helena, the pressure needs to be sufficient to overcome the pressure of St. Helena’s own water system, which is pushing water south. The Rutherford pump station, which pumps Napa water into St. Helena, shuts down to prevent damage when pressure falls to a certain level, Prestwich said. After Napa switched its water source from Lake Hennessey to the Jamis...

Columnist Mark Epstein considers our strained water situation, and evaluates a new approach to home ownership.