How We Care for the Water We Use

_____The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) drafted the San Joaquin Basin Plan in 1998. One section in this plan deals with winery wastewater treatment (Resolution 83-105.) Winery wastewater has "BOD's" (biochemical oxygen demand), nitrogen, and contains other grape-processing materials. _____In 2000, Charles Spinetta Winery was chosen as the first winery in the Central Valley Region (RWQCB5 - the largest region in the state) to comply with the updated laws.

First to be Approved

In March 2002, CSW's waste discharge requirement (WDR) was approved in RWQCB5's jurisdiction. (The nine water regions in California are considered separate entities, and there are different guidelines in each of them for winery wastewater treatment.) Charles Spinetta says, "Now, after all the EIR's, salinity studies, and lots of research -- we're ready." Pictured here is the a sieve bucket that denies any solid bigger than a grape seed to pass through the drain. We have chosen a natural, 'greener' way to process our wastewater. Our constructed wetlands utilizes canna and calla lilies, water iris, and other aquatic plants to naturally filter winery waste. Some of this water will be used for landscape and vineyard irrigation.

The Winery Wastewater System

To the left you can see the 2,600 gallon settling tank that allows the waste to settle to the bottom and separate out before the water flows into the constructed wetland. In the bottom picture, you can see how the water gets progressively cleaner as it passes through the system. After the water is used at our facilities, it must be healthful enough to support its reentry into the ecosystem. "We purchase machinery, like our ozonator, which help to promote higher water quality."

Stormwater, Groundwater, and Surfacewater Protection

Charles Spinetta talks about his workplace. "Keeping a sanitary workplace and constantly upkeeping and upgrading the production equipment really pays off. Four years ago, we built a giant roof over our outdoor facilities that literally covers our requirements for stormwater compliance. The State likes this, since the rainwater stays clean as it flows off our facilities back into Pigeon Creek. I like it because we don't get rained on, the sun doesn't heat our fruit, and we can regulate the temperature of the wine better." We have studied the groundwater and surfacewater in our vineyards and series of ponds (we have to keep those catfish healthy for summer barbeques!) The ponds receive water from precipitation and by springs. Water flowing between our ponds is aerated through a series of sprinklers. When necessary, we trust this water to irrigate our vines, too.

Public Water System - Water Quality and Sanitation

We believe water quality is important for creating our products and serving our customers. Our public water system serves clean water to both our tasting room and winery - this helps avoid bateria that may infect the equipment and barrels. A recent survey by the British Medical Journal cited clean water supply systems and sanitation as the "most important medical milestone" in the past 150 years. We've been in this county the same amount of time, and we want what's best for you. "We have also invited groups like the Cosumnes River Task Force, Ducks Unlimited, and others to help out in planning the stewardship of our land."