Water: An essential element for our lives and future generations. Placer County Water Agency, the City of Roseville, and the City of Lincoln are committed to maintaining a steady and sustainable water supply for our growing county. We’re making sure every drop counts for our community today while protecting this resource for the future.
Reliable, sustainable water supplies for Placer County.
Innovation and Strategic Investments
We focus on securing reliable water sources through innovative projects and strategic infrastructure investments. By leveraging groundwater, surface water, and recycled water, plus championing water-efficient practices, we aim to protect Placer County from the challenges of climate change, population growth, and changing regulations.
Proactive Planning and Management
Placer County enjoys relatively reliable water supplies compared to other areas in California. We recognize the importance of proactive planning and sustainable management. By implementing long-term infrastructure plans independently and with other agencies, we can accommodate growth and allocate resources efficiently to meet our community’s evolving needs.
Collaborative Projects
Our collaborative initiatives, such as the Sacramento Regional Water Bank, the Ophir Project, the River Arc Project, and the Roseville-PCWA Pipeline, enhance water reliability, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. These projects address immediate water challenges and position Placer County for a resilient future.
Regional Resilient Water Sources
Across our region, many water agencies are working together to diversify water supplies for greater resiliency and redundancy. While each agency may have different water sources, collectively, we draw from surface water from the American and Sacramento Rivers, groundwater for storage and extraction, and highly treated recycled water for irrigation and other non-potable uses. Diversified water management strategies help provide a reliable and eco-friendly water supply, ensuring a sustainable future for our communities, even as water conditions change.
Get Involved
We encourage you to learn about these initiatives and participate in shaping our water future. Together, we can ensure Placer County continues as a vibrant, water-secure community for generations.
Sacramento Regional Water Bank
The Sacramento Regional Water Bank uses our natural groundwater aquifers as a storage reservoir. During wet periods, water is stored underground for dry periods, benefiting customers across the Sacramento region, including Placer County. Local water providers contribute excess surface water and participate in groundwater banking programs like in-lieu recharge and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR). Our aquifers can store twice as much water as Folsom Reservoir, making this approach crucial for a resilient 21st-century water system adaptable to climate change.
The Ophir Project
The Ophir Project, set to begin construction in 2025, will treat 10 million gallons of water daily, meeting the needs of 10,000 families in Placer County’s western region, including the City of Lincoln. As our communities grow, this project will scale up to process 30 million gallons per day, ensuring a reliable water supply for our residents. Learn more at pcwa.net.
Roseville-PCWA Cooperative Pipeline
Roseville and PCWA are collaborating on the Roseville-PCWA Cooperative Pipeline to ensure reliable water access upstream of Folsom Reservoir. This project involves constructing a 14-mile pipeline and pumping facilities to tap into PCWA Middle Fork Project water sources, delivering water to Roseville’s treatment plant in Granite Bay without passing through the reservoir. Enhancing water access during droughts and changing hydrological conditions, this initiative supports our commitment to sustainable water management and ecosystem preservation.
Efficiency and Stewardship
We are committed to promoting a sustainable, water-wise Placer County through proactive engagement and investment in water efficiency initiatives. Our rebate programs incentivize the adoption of water efficient appliances, low-flow fixtures, and landscaping practices that reduce water use. Through education and financial incentives, we empower our community to make informed choices for a resilient water future.
The RiverArc Project
The RiverArc Project strengthens Placer County’s water reliability and resilience to drought and climate change by utilizing existing infrastructure to access surplus water from the Sacramento River. This project enhances groundwater sustainability by allowing us to store excess water in the aquifer. This flexibility means we can switch between surface water and groundwater based on availability, helping to ensure we have enough water for our growing community while protecting our environment. Learn more at RiverArcProject.com.
Proactive Planning and Management
Placer County enjoys relatively reliable water supplies compared to other areas in California. We recognize the importance of proactive planning and sustainable management. The American River Basin Study projects a future that is hotter, drier, and wetter, creating a significant conflict between flood control and water supply. By implementing long-term infrastructure plans independently and with other agencies, we can accommodate growth and allocate resources efficiently to meet our community’s evolving needs.
Not only are PCWA, City of Roseville and City of Lincoln collaborating to ensure water for our future, each jurisdiction has independent initiatives for accommodating regional growth and evolving with their community’s needs. Check out the links below to learn more about what’s happening in your area:
