Water For
Our FutureThe Ophir Project
Creating a water future that’s sustainable, resilient, and ready for the generations to come.
Buildingthe Foundation for Reliability, Anticipating Tomorrow’s Needs
Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) was created to secure a reliable, locally controlled water supply for the vibrant communities of Placer County.
In 1967, PCWA achieved a significant milestone in this vision by constructing two reservoirs on the American River. These reservoirs are the cornerstone of our water supply, providing a reliable source that our communities depend on.
Acknowledging the inevitable strain on our other water source, the Yuba River, PCWA initiated a forward-thinking infrastructure program in the 1990s to secure access to our American River supply. In 2007, the American River Pump Station came to life, followed by the Ophir Road Pump Station in 2008. These stations elevate our water from deep in the American River canyon to the foothills just south of Auburn. Together, the American and Yuba rivers can supply all of the planned growth of our communities.
EmpoweringOur Future with Timely Action
PCWA has been developing The Ophir Project for decades, investing $185 million in this infrastructure program since the 1990s along with the City of Lincoln as a wholesale partner. Construction of the Ophir Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is the final step to bringing our American River water to customer homes. This facility is expected to cost more than $200 million in addition to prior investments.
Originally slated for construction by 2010, external factors, such as economic recession and drought, played a role in shaping the timeline along with careful financial planning aimed at minimizing costs and reducing borrowing costs. This deliberate step not only conserved financial resources but also extended the operational life of the facility, deferring significant wear and tear on this valuable asset.
The Ophir Project will be engineered to process 10 million gallons of water per day—enough to serve 10,000 families—to meet the growing needs for treated water on Placer County’s western side, including the City of Lincoln. And, this project is designed to scale up over time, ultimately serving as much as six times this amount as our communities continue to grow.
Paying it ForwardFunding Tomorrow’s Water
Funding for the infrastructure to serve new customers is provided by land developers and future homeowners, not existing ratepayers. These funds are collected as water connection charges within both PCWA and the Lincoln retail service areas.
This financial model uses a concept widely used in utilities called “paying it forward.” The infrastructure must be in place before connections are made, meaning the infrastructure to serve new homes today was paid for by prior development, and today’s connection charges will fund future development. Importantly, the funds collected from developers are protected by state law, ensuring they are used exclusively for infrastructure expansion.
Sometimes, to bridge funding gaps, debt issuances are necessary, and this cost is included in the charges. The Ophir WTP, with an expected cost exceeding $200 million, will be funded by about $40 million from Lincoln, a similar amount from PCWA, and the rest through PCWA’s debt issuance. Lincoln’s share of capacity will align with its investment in the infrastructure program.
Together, we’re building a water future that’s sustainable, resilient, and ready for the generations to come.
Resilience for Tomorrow:The 2030 Vision
The anticipated completion of the Ophir Water Treatment Plant by 2030 carries profound implications for our community. It will expand PCWA’s total water treatment capacity and provide an alternative treatment location. It will also allow essential maintenance work to be done at our Foothill Water Treatment Plant, our largest plant. This strategic move helps to ensure a seamless supply during maintenance or emergencies, enhancing our community’s resilience. It’s about ensuring that our communities have the water they need when they need it, regardless of the circumstances.
About the Placer County Water Agency
PCWA, the county’s largest water provider, serves over 41,000 retail treated water customers in its Western Water System, spanning from the foothills to western Placer County. It also serves wholesale treated water to the City of Lincoln.
144 Ferguson Road | Auburn, CA 95603(800) 464-0030 | customerservices@pcwa.net