AUBURN, CA (MPG) — A recently-completed, independent water quality review of the Yuba River and Bear River watershed shows that drinking water, treated by Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), typically exceeds the state standards for compliant systems, ranking it among the highest quality water in the region. The conclusion is part of the 2021 Yuba/Bear River Watershed Sanitary Survey (Survey). Highlights of the Survey were shared with the PCWA Board of Directors at its meeting on March 3.

The Yuba/Bear watershed is one of the region’s primary surface water sources, supplying water to several PCWA and non-PCWA water treatment plants. It supplies the majority of PCWA demand.

The purpose of the Survey, covering the years 2016 – 2020, is to identify potential contaminants from human and natural activities in the watershed and how PCWA’s water management can mitigate for those contaminants, ensuring drinking water remains safe and reliable. Bonny Starr of Starr Consulting, who conducted the survey along with Leslie Palencia of Palencia Consulting Engineers, lauded PCWA’s Drinking Water Operations for being able to adapt and adjust treatment during times of potentially reduced source water quality.

“PCWA is doing a great job at proactively treating water and reacting to changing conditions. My recommendation, generally, is to keep doing what you are already doing,” Starr said during her presentation.

The next regular meeting of the PCWA Board of Directors will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2:00 PM, at the PCWA Business Center, 144 Ferguson Road, in Auburn. PCWA board meetings are open to the public.