PG&E has halted water releases due to ongoing infrastructure repairs, and full recovery is not expected until early August. The outage has halted water releases from Lake Spaulding, and ultimately, significantly reduced water deliveries from Rollins Reservoir, which is a primary source of water for PCWA. The agency is coordinating with regional water utilities to minimize disruptions, but customers should expect water reductions similar to those experienced in 2024.

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.

To help us all get through this period, untreated water customers receiving one miner’s inch or more will have their orifice reduced by approximately 20 percent. We’re also continuing to ask for voluntary reductions or temporary suspension in canal water deliveries. All canal water customers are asked to reduce water use by 20 percent. All customers are asked to be as efficient with their water use as possible.

Customers who want to discuss their options to temporarily reduce or suspend raw water deliveries are encouraged to contact our Customer Services Department at (530) 823-4850 or customerservices@pcwa.net.

PG&E has halted water deliveries from Lake Spaulding due to ongoing infrastructure repairs, and full recovery is not expected until early August. Conservation efforts are essential to help ensure that the limited water currently available can meet everyone's needs through the hot summer months and until full water deliveries are restored.

PCWA’s proactive planning for scenarios like this play a significant role in PCWA’s ongoing effort to deliver water reliably. PCWA has backup supplies from the American River and groundwater, and interties with neighboring water providers.

However, additional pumping from the American River during the outage has significantly increased costs. We need your help to ensure that the water available in Rollins Reservoir lasts through the duration of the reservoir's recovery.

Due to PG&E’s infrastructure issues, the full recovery of water deliveries is not expected until August 2025. Water reductions for PCWA customers are expected to mirror the reductions implemented in 2024.

PCWA will continue to provide updates through its website and other communication channels. Customers are encouraged to check the website periodically for updates on the ongoing situation and any necessary actions they may need to take.

The Drum-Spaulding system is the primary water supply for parts of west Placer County. This water is delivered from a historic canal system that begins at a reservoir in the Yuba watershed and meanders through Placer County.

From the time PG&E purchased the gold rush-era reservoirs on the South Yuba River in the early 1900s, until 1967, PG&E was the primary water retailer in Placer County. During that time, the Placer County region was one of the leading producers of tree fruits in the nation. The same canals that were originally used to transport water to the productive lands of the county also became part of PG&E’s Drum-Spaulding hydroelectric facilities.

In 1967, PG&E decided to exit the retail water business, and PCWA purchased its western water system with overwhelming support from voters. We did this to bring more affordable water to our customers and to ensure the water system received the best possible operation and maintenance.

Then, in 1983, PG&E sold the upper portion of their retail system, from Alta to Auburn, to PCWA. By this time, PG&E had exited the retail water business, and PCWA took over the duty to continue delivering water to the people of Placer County.

Importantly, through both of these water system sales, PG&E has been bound by long-term contracts to ensure the continued delivery of water from the Drum-Spaulding system to PCWA, in order to supply the same customers and lands historically served by PG&E.