Over the past decade, Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) has strengthened water reliability, modernized infrastructure, protected our headwaters, and expanded regional partnerships. The work we do today is built on long-term planning and responsible investment — and the initiatives underway now will shape water security for the next generation.
PCWA Accomplishments
2015-2025
A Decade of Results
Delivering measurable outcomes for Placer County.
Ranked among the highest in a nationwide water quality study comparing taste, clarity, and safety of drinking water.
Achieved 100% water supply reliability from PCWA’s water rights on the American River during two record-breaking droughts across California.
Complied with state water conservation requirements without costly impacts to customers, while providing more than $700,000 in rebates for customer upgrades.
Secured $30 million in state money to support small and failing water systems throughout Placer County.
Launched the Colfax to Applegate water system regionalization program, beginning with groundbreaking of a new Colfax treatment plant.
Secured $10 million in state and federal grants to construct water supply reliability projects for all of west Placer County.
Supported advancing the Sites Reservoir project, which will backstop Folsom Reservoir.
Secured federal funding to develop a PCWA–Roseville water supply pipeline to provide greater water supply security for the residents of Roseville.
Led the advancement of RiverArc, a regional water supply project involving Roseville, Sacramento, and PCWA, with grant funding tied to its environmental benefits to the American River.
Commenced independent operation of the Middle Fork Hydroelectric Project and secured a 40-year federal license, providing clean energy to the California grid and recreational amenities in Placer County’s watershed.
To prevent catastrophic wildfire in our watershed, nearing completion of PCWA’s first landscape-scale forest restoration project (French Meadows) and developing a second project in Long Canyon.
Partnered with regional fire districts to ensure coordinated operations and public messaging to keep our residents safe and informed.
Years of planning and design are advancing the Ophir Water Treatment Plant, PCWA’s largest water supply project in modern history, to keep pace with Placer’s growing economy.
Initiatives
Looking Ahead
Initiatives Shaping What Comes Next
Major efforts now underway to strengthen reliability, resilience, and regional water security for the years ahead.
Forest Health & Wildfire Resilience
PCWA continues expanding large-scale forest health and fuels reduction projects to protect water quality, reduce wildfire risk, and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Watershed Restoration
Ongoing watershed restoration efforts at French Meadows and Long Canyon strengthen ecosystem health and improve long-term water supply resilience.
Biomass Utilization & Innovation
The Agency is advancing biomass utilization strategies and regional partnerships to support sustainable forest management and long-term wildfire risk reduction.
Sacramento Water Forum Participation
PCWA remains actively involved in the Sacramento Water Forum to protect regional water supply and ecosystem balance.
Fisheries Protection & Biological Opinions
The Agency continues engagement on biological opinions, or the coordinated operations of federal and state water facilities, to support long-term water supply and environmental sustainability.
