Placer County Water Agency Continues to Address Water Delivery Challenges
Mar 31, 2025 02:33PM ● By Placer County Water Agency News Release
Photo courtesy of Placer County Water Agency
AUBURN, CA (MPG) – At its March 20 meeting, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors received an update on the ongoing efforts to address water supply challenges caused by damage to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Lake Spaulding Powerhouses and its impact on water deliveries.
A second repair to the Spaulding Powerhouse No. 1 owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company is now underway 24/7 as reported by PG&E, and expected to be completed this summer. During these repairs, releases from Lake Spaulding to the Drum Canal and Bear River will be cut off, requiring Placer County Water Agency to implement measures similar to last summer to offset the reduction in Pacific Gas and Electric Company deliveries. The resulting five-month disruption will significantly impact Placer County Water Agency’s water deliveries.
“It is deeply concerning that PCWA customers are again facing a reduction in water deliveries,” said Gray Allen Placer County Water Agency board vice chair, who also noted higher costs for pumping water from the American River. “We understand the challenges this places on our community, and we appreciate everyone’s efforts to conserve water.”
Darin Reintjes, Placer County Water Agency’s Director of Resource Management, presented a recap of the Lake Spaulding situation, which dates back to March of 2024.
Damage to Pacific Gas and Electric Company Spaulding Powerhouses No. 1 and No. 2, the South Yuba Pipe, and the Low Level Outlet cut off water releases from Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Lake Spaulding Reservoir to the South Yuba Canal, the Drum Canal, and the Bear River, which ultimately feeds Rollins Reservoir, a primary source for Placer County Water Agency’s water system.
While Placer County Water Agency has alternative water sources, the outage last year significantly increased operational costs due to additional pumping from the American River and disrupted service to untreated water customers during last year’s irrigation season. Additionally, all customers were asked to voluntarily conserve water.
“The Agency received approximately 57 percent of its supply delivered by PG&E in 2024,” Reintjes said. “The Agency implemented several measures to offset the reduction in PG&E’s ability to deliver our water.
These measures included:
- Increased pumping at the American River Pump Station
- Water purchases from the City of Roseville
- Water exchanges with the San Juan Water District and the Nevada Irrigation District • Increased groundwater pumping by the City of Lincoln
- 20 percent reductions in canal deliveries
- Conservation from Placer County Water Agency treated water customers
To help mitigate the impacts of the ongoing shortages:
- Customers receiving one miner’s inch or more will have their summer canal water delivery orifice reduced by approximately 20 percent; that reduction will be reflected on their bill
- Customers receiving one-half miner’s inch of untreated water service will not have their canal water delivery orifice reduced but are asked to voluntarily reduce water use by 20 percent
- Rotating canal outages are not anticipated but may be necessary if Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s repairs are further delayed or if conservation targets are not met
- Treated water customers are also asked to use water as efficiently as possible
“The efforts to offset the reduction in PG&E deliveries are crucial to maintaining a reliable water supply for our community,” Reintjes said. “We continue to ask for and appreciate the public’s cooperation and understanding as we work through this challenge together.”
Customers experiencing hardships due to adjusted canal water deliveries are encouraged to contact Placer County Water Agency Customer Services at 530-823-4850 or email [email protected] for assistance.
Placer County Water Agency encourages customers to visit pcwa.net/media/pge-water-delivery for tips on how to reduce water use and to check the page periodically for updates on the ongoing situation and any necessary actions they may need to take.
Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) is the primary water resource agency for Placer County, California, with a broad range of responsibilities including water resource planning and management, retail and wholesale supply of drinking water and irrigation water, and production of hydroelectric energy.
