The Tahoe City Public Utility District has completed construction of the new West Lake Tahoe Regional Water Treatment Plant, a long-planned facility that replaces a temporary seasonal plant and now delivers year-round drinking water and fire protection to communities along the West Shore.
The facility, located near Chambers Landing just north of Tahoma, marks a significant investment in drought-resilient infrastructure and is now the primary water source for the area.
TCPUD officials say the plant will enhance fire protection capabilities and improve reliability throughout the water system.
“This project transforms the way TCPUD delivers water to our customers on the West Shore,” said TCPUD Board President Judy Friedman. “By transitioning to drought-resilient surface water, we are ensuring safe, dependable drinking water year-round and significantly improving water availability for firefighting to help protect our community against wildfire.”
The project has been in the works for nearly 20 years, stemming from the need to replace a temporary treatment plant used to meet peak summer demand.
The new facility includes an underwater pump station and intake pipeline in Lake Tahoe. It uses membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection to ensure high water quality.
TCPUD says the plant currently delivers nearly one million gallons of water per day and is designed for future expansion to serve up to 2,400 customers from Tahoma to Timberland.
At approximately $30 million, the project is among the largest capital investments in district history. Funding included more than $5.5 million in grants from the California Department of Water Resources, the El Dorado Water Agency, and the Placer County Water Agency, along with a $19.7 million loan from the California State Water Resources Control Board.
“The Department of Water Resources is proud to have supported the West Lake Tahoe Regional Water Treatment Plant,” said Ann Marie, Grant Manager with the Department of Water Resources. “This project is a powerful example of how strategic partnerships can build lasting resilience, protect public health, and deliver critical infrastructure to support a sustainably managed water supply.”
TCPUD will mark the grand opening with a “first sip” ceremony on September 10. Guided public tours are expected to be offered later this fall, with more details to come.
More information is available about the TCPUD project by clicking here.
The Tahoe City Public Utility District is constructing a new surface water treatment plant in Tahoma, California, on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. When completed, the plant will have a capacity of one million gallons per day and will provide both drinking water and fire protection services to the west shore communities of Tahoma and Homewood. When complete in 2024, this new treatment plant will replace the current temporary and seasonal water treatment facility in Chambers Landing.
Video Credit: Kennedy Jenks
