Annual Report
2024
ENERGY
Annual Report
2024
The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) prioritizes ensuring reliable water service through strategic infrastructure investments, resource management, and system improvements. PCWA undertakes construction projects to modernize and expand our water delivery systems, supports water system consolidations to enhance service reliability, and actively manages local water resources to meet community needs. With a strong focus on treated water production and delivery, the agency ensures high-quality water for residential, commercial, and agricultural use.
Retail Accounts
Wholesale Accounts
It will cost $425 million over 25 years to accomplish long-term infrastructure reliability, according to an independent analysis of the Agency's water system, completed in 2021. In 2022, the Agency adopted a rate increase, effective in 2023, to address the on-going need to renew and replace aging infrastructure. The new rates will provide an average annual revenue stream of $17 million dedicated to this effort.
In 2024, $17.7 million was invested through PCWA's Renewal and Replacement Program. This program helps to ensure the system's reliability and sustainability for existing and future customers.
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution:
$9.2M
Raw Water Transmission & Distribution:
$3.8M
Water Treatment:
$3.1M
Other/Miscellaneous:
$1.0M
Treated Water Storage:
$0.5M
Untreated Water Storage:
$0.1M
Total Investments in 2024:
$17.7M
This map shows a sample of Renewal and Replacement projects completed in 2024. See more project highlights below.
COST
$2,193,709
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
This pipeline replacement project replaced existing water mains that were located in the backyards of homes in an Auburn neighborhood that had reached the end of their useful life. By relocating the new water main within the city's right of way, we're also ensuring fewer maintenance and repair disruptions for homeowners. The project improves efficiency, increases water reliability, and reduces leaks.
FACTS & STATS
COST
$2,833,900
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
Contractors replaced existing cement-coated and mortar-lined steel pipe water main and services located in Midas Avenue between Clover Valley Road and Argonaut Avenue. Originally installed in the 1960's, these outdated pipes were beginning to fail and cause roadway damage. This pipeline replacement ensures reliable drinking water for the residents and reduces the need for ongoing maintenance.
In partnership with the City of Rocklin, we also provided full-width pavement overlay along Midas Avenue, improving the roadway for the entire community.
This was one of seven phases in a long-term effort to replace failing pipes throughout the Midas Avenue area of Rocklin.
FACTS & STATS
COST
$1,190,000
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Raw Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
Crews replaced the aging wooden flume that had reached the end of its useful life. The flume was prone to leaks and had been repaired on multiple occasions over the years. This flume is a critical part of the Boardman Canal system, delivering water to treatment plants and wholesale customers west of Colfax.
The new 6-foot diameter steel “half-round” flume enhances reliability and reduces the canal's exposure to the risk of wildfire damage, safeguarding water delivery for our customers.
COST
$248,960
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Storage
PURPOSE
A new liner was installed inside the 100,000-gallon water tank at the Applegate Water Treatment Plant. This tank, serving as the clearwell for the plant, had reached the end of its useful life. The new interior liner extends the service life of the tank by at least 10 years, ensuring continued reliable water for the community.
FACTS & STATS
The tank and plant were built in the mid 1990's and placed into operation in 1997. As part of a cost saving measure to make the project economically viable, the bolted steel tank was purchased second hand with a reduced service life at the time of installation. The treatment plant serves 64 active connections in Applegate.
COST
$486,462
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
Upgrades were made to one of our water booster pump stations in Rocklin to enhance reliability and efficiency. Improvements include a new hydro-pneumatic tank, updated electrical and instrumentation equipment, and new SCADA equipment for better monitoring and control.
Additional work included piping modifications, mechanical and electrical work, structural enhancements, sidewalk repair, and landscaping restoration.
FACTS & STATS
The Northstar pump station was designed and constructed in an underground vault in the mid 1960s to boost the water pressure to 25 homes in Rocklin. The pump station was originally constructed without supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and therefore staff was only informed of a pressure drop in the area from customers. Many of the below ground equipment had reached the end of its useful life, requiring daily maintenance to ensure the pump station stayed operational.
COST
$3,256,150
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
This pipeline project replaced the aging water main in Alta and install new pipelines to create a looped system. The looped system will reduce outage impacts during repairs and maintenance. The project also includes the installation of a new pressure-reducing station, new fire hydrants for enhanced fire protection, and relocated private services to customers' front yards for easier access.
FACTS & STATS
COST
$2,144,500
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Water Treatment
PURPOSE
The Bowman Water Treatment Plant with updated with new vertical flocculators, replacing the outdated horizontal ones, along with a new rapid mixer and an automatic fine screen at the intake channel. These enhancements, along with updated valving and controls, ensure improved water treatment efficiency and reliability for our customers.
COST
$191,000
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Raw Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
This flume rehabilitation project involved rebuilding the entire flume from the ground up. This included replacing 338 feet of tin and understructure caused by leaks and rotting timbers. This upgrade ensures the flume's continued reliability and helps prevent future water delivery issues.
FACTS & STATS
The Spaulding Flume was originally built in the late 1800's and has since been rebuilt multiple times. This flume, in particular, was featured on an episode of Huell Howser's California Gold. We All Live in a Watershed - California's Water (107) - Huell Howser Archives at Chapman University
COST
$205,000
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Raw Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
This flume to pipe project replaced a 200-foot wooden flume structure and tin lining with durable 24-inch C900 pipe. This upgrade not only enhances the reliability and resiliency of the water system but also improves fire resistance, reducing the risk of damage to infrastructure from wildfires.
FACTS & STATS
Project benefits include system fire hardening, and long-term maintenance cost savings. A flume of this size needs to be replaced every 15-20 years at a cost of over $125,000 per replacement.
COST
$117,000
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Raw Water Storage
PURPOSE
We've completed several key improvements at the Ben Frankin Reservoir, including guniting the reservoir to prevent water loss due to seepage. A new fence installed around the Reservoir now secures the facility, while a paved access road improves ease of access. Additionally, a new screen was installed at the customer's intake to eliminate debris buildup, prevent service interruptions, and ensure a more reliable water supply to our customers.
FACTS & STATS
PCWA's raw water crew removed nearly 300 yards of mud and organic materials from the reservoir, increasing the capacity and making future maintenance easier.
COST
$106,865
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
This pipe replacement project in Rocklin aimed to reduce the annual number of leaks and reduce after-hour call outs. The old 1940s-50s ear wrapped steel pipe was prone to leaks, and this replacement ensures more reliable service and fewer disruptions for our customers.
FACTS & STATS
Crews replaced 360 feet of 6-inch 1940/50's era wrapped steel pipe with new 8-inch C900 PVC pipe.
COST
$165,586
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
The old pipe on Stratten Way ran through the backyards, under patios, sheds, and landscape. With a long history of leaks, these challenging conditions made it difficult to access the pipeline and resulted in property damage during repairs. Replacing this pipe improves access, reduces disruptions, and ensures a more reliable water system for residents.
FACTS & STATS
This project consisted of replacing 480 feet of 1930's era 6-inch steel pipe with new DIP and relocating it into the roadway.
COST
$98,008
FUNDING SOURCE
Rates - Renewal & Replacement
PROJECT TYPE
Treated Water Transmission & Distribution
PURPOSE
Front Street Alley Pipe Project in Rocklin aimed to reduce the annual number of leaks and reduce after-hour call outs. The old 1940s-50s ear wrapped steel pipe was prone to leaks, and this replacement ensures more reliable service and fewer disruptions for our customers.
FACTS & STATS
Replaced 480 feet of 1940s-50's era 40-inch wrapped steel pipe with new 6-inch DIP
Dutch Flat Mutual Water Company Consolidation
COST
$4,562,916
FUNDING SOURCE
Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which may include capitalization funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board.
As much as $7,251,683 in principal forgiveness will be reimbursed by the State Water Resources Control Board to fund the project.
PROJECT TYPE
Consolidation
PURPOSE
The Dutch Flat community has officially joined PCWA's water system! With 112 residents voting to consolidate, their existing water system is now operated and maintained by PCWA. This consolidation project ensures the community has access to a safe, reliable, and high-quality treated water supply.
Project Improvements
Thanks to a grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board, PCWA made significant progress in repairing and upgrading the system. The project, completed in 2024, included:
These improvements eliminate leaks, bring the system up to current code, and ensure long-term reliability.
Learn more about PCWA consolidation projects.
In 2024, PCWA faced significant challenges due to damage to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) outlet infrastructure at Lake Spaulding. This issue reduced water releases into Rollins Reservoir, a primary source for PCWA's water system, and impacted water deliveries throughout the irrigation season.
