Water reductions for Placer County Water Agency customers in 2025 are expected to match those implemented last year. Photo courtesy of Placer County Water Agency

AUBURN, CA (MPG) – Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) announced Feb. 21 that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has halted water releases from Lake Spaulding to facilitate ongoing infrastructure repairs. As a result, water reductions for Placer County Water Agency customers in 2025 are expected to match those implemented last year.

PG&E’s damaged outlet infrastructure at Lake Spaulding has severely impacted regional water deliveries since March 2024. Multiple infrastructure failures at PG&E facilities prevented water releases for more than four and a half months, cutting off flows from the reservoir into 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 significantly increased costs due to additional pumping from the American River and disrupted service to untreated water customers throughout last year’s irrigation season. Additionally, all customers were asked to voluntarily conserve water where they could.

Partial repairs at Spaulding Powerhouse No. 1 in late July of 2024, restored 50% of its normal capacity to release water from Lake Spaulding. However, with PG&E now ceasing water releases to complete remaining repairs, Placer County Water Agency is coordinating closely with the Nevada Irrigation District and other regional water utilities to minimize service disruptions.

Customer Water Reductions

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%, with a corresponding adjustment to the commodity portion of their bill.

Customers receiving one-half miner’s inch or untreated meter service will not have their canal water delivery orifice reduced but are asked to voluntarily reduce water use by 20%. 

Rotating canal outages are not anticipated but may be necessary if PG&E’s repairs are further delayed or if conservation targets are not met.

Treated water customers are asked to use water as efficiently as possible.

 “It is deeply concerning that Placer County Water Agency customers are facing continued water reductions, and the Agency is burdened with increased costs to pump water from the American River due to PG&E’s failure to properly maintain its infrastructure,” said Robert Dugan Placer County Water Agency Board Chair. “We appreciate our customers' cooperation in conserving water during these repairs and will continue advocating to ensure Placer County residents receive the reliable water service they deserve.”

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.

Five Ways All Customers Can Conserve Water

Turn off sprinklers during the rainy season.

Fix household leaks.

Install water-efficient appliances.

Replace lawn with water-wise, drought-tolerant landscaping.

Use an EPA WaterSense-labeled, weather-based irrigation controller.

Placer County Water Agency offers rebate programs to help offset the costs of water-efficient upgrades, along with water-use evaluations for your home or business.

For updates on the water delivery issue and more information on rebates, visit www.pcwa.net or contact Placer County Water Agency Customer Services at (530) 823-4850.

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.