Initially, with no ability to move water from Lake Spaulding to Rollins Reservoir, while PG&E repaired their powerhouse, PCWA and NID had to rely on the water currently sitting in Rollins Reservoir to serve both Agencies' needs. Now, a partial fix has resumed water deliveries at about 50% of normal flow.

All customers are being asked to maintain their conservation efforts and reduce water use by 20 percent through at least mid-September. Here are some things customers can do to help achieve this goal:

• Reduce landscape watering (while prioritizing water for trees)
• Stop sprinkler runoff
• Water only early in the day
• Fix household leaks

To help us all get through this period, untreated water customers who have not already voluntarily reduced deliveries for the season 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 customers are asked to reduce water use by 20 percent.

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.

We are still asking customers to conserve water because the partial fix to PG&E’s infrastructure at Lake Spaulding only allows approximately 50% of normal water flow. Full recovery of our water system is not expected to be achieved until late Fall. 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.

Thankfully, 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.

So, while we have plans to make up for much of the delayed water supply, we need your help to ensure that the water currently available in Rollins Reservoir lasts through the duration of the reservoir's recovery.

Update: As of July 29, 2024, a partial fix to PG&E’s infrastructure at Lake Spaulding has resulted in resumed deliveries of water into PCWA’s system at approximately 50% of normal flow. Full repairs are still expected by late Fall.

We encourage our customers to check back periodically for updates posted on our website.

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.