UPDATE - Placer County Water Agency

PLACER COUNTY WATER AGENCY
IN THIS ISSUE:
Isotope Study
How Old is
My Water?
Researchers believe that water
in the Martis Valley groundwater
basin near Truckee is
hundreds if not thousands
of years old. And in the
case of groundwater, older seems better.
A team from Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory has joined a Martis
Valley groundwater study and modeling
project being conducted by PCWA,
Truckee Donner Public Utility District and
Northstar Community Services District.
“They approached us this summer
and will start in 2012,” said PCWA project
manager Tony Firenzi. “They have studied
groundwater basins throughout the state
and were interested in an alpine basin such
as the Martis Valley.”
The researchers will study isotopes in
water samples taken from 30 wells in the
Martis Valley, including PCWA’s Zone 4
wells. The studies are designed to help the
the laboratory and PCWA determine how
climate change might impact the sustainability
of groundwater supplies.
Michael Singleton, Ph.D., a hydrologist
with Lawrence Livermore, said the study
will analyze tritium-helium-3 isotopes as a
way to determine how long the water has
been out of contact with the atmosphere.
“We can see ranges anywhere from
last year’s water up to hundreds and thousands
of years,” he said.
The age of water indicates how fast it
is moving, how it is being replenished and
the outlook for long-term sustainable supplies.
Isotope studies can also assess the
basin’s vulnerability to contamination.
Singleton said water that has been in place
for hundreds or thousands of years is likely
isolated and more protected.
Delta Planning Process
Concerns PCWA
....Page 2
UPDATE
VOL 25 NO 6 DECEMBER-JANUARY 2011/12
Water Comes to
Ophir Road
....Page 3
PCWA Customer Service
PCWA customer service representative Janine Sinkey greets Jon Turner at the reception counter
in the PCWA Business Center in Auburn. Pictured, right, is PCWA customer service representative
Diane Ott. Water agency customers may access a wide range of services by visiting
the PCWA website, www.pcwa.net, calling (530) 823-4850 or toll-free (800)464-0030, or
stopping by the office and talking with our friendly and helpful staff.
PG&E Extends Fall Outage
During routine annual maintenance, Pacific Gas and Electric Company crews
discovered a section of the Bear River Canal between Weimar and Meadow
Vista that needed immediate repair.
The repair work was expected to extend PG&E’s annual fall maintenance outage
to mid-December. This year’s outage had been planned for Oct. 17-Nov. 25.
Since the work comes during the rainy season, PCWA does not anticipate
impacts on canal water customers.
PCWA customers who use piped, treated water will not be affected.
The work is located about seven miles downstream of last April’s canal break
that severed supplies and created a water shortage emergency.
Current information on the repair project and water availability may be found on
the PCWA website at www.pcwa.net.

Placer’s Historic Water Supplies
Threatened by Delta Process
The water supplies developed in the California Gold Rush are a rich legacy for
Placer and surrounding counties. Our local water systems were among the
very first to be developed in California; some are older than the state itself.
Here in Placer County, PCWA has adapted, improved and expanded Gold Rush
era canals and reservoirs to deliver water from the Yuba and Bear rivers to meet our
customers’ needs. The water agency added to this legacy in the 1960s with construction
of our Middle Fork American River Project. Importantly, this developed our supply
reliability and set aside additional water for Placer County’s future needs.
More Northern California Water to the South
But today, our water rights and water contracts, as well as the pocketbooks of our
consumers, are being challenged as never before. It’s all part of an elaborate planning
process by the State of California to transfer more Northern California water to
Southern California and parts of the Bay Area and to repair decades-old ecological
changes that have harmed the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Downstream interests are looking our way for additional water and money to
achieve their plans. They are targeting water purveyors such as PCWA that have had
the vision and resources to plan for our own water reliability needs. These planners
also propose the imposition of fees on water right holders to create an income stream
for the proposed Delta plan.
When the federal and state governments developed the Central Valley Project
(1937-45) and State Water Project (1961-73) to carry water from north to south, it was
agreed upon and written into law that “area-of-origin” water supply protections would
be recognized and that water supplied through the Delta would only be water that is
surplus or supplemental to Northern California needs.
We expect this agreement to stand and we are working diligently to ensure that it
does. We are monitoring the various Delta planning processes and actively participating
in coalitions and alliances that share our mutual concerns and interests.
While we’re not convinced that Southern California needs more water, we all
agree that major improvements are needed in the Delta. We strongly believe that Delta
solutions should be financed by the downstream water exporters who created the
problems in the first place.
Decisions on Delta Seen in 2012
One of the several Delta planning processes has entered a critical phase. A 2200page
environmental impact report (EIR) for a draft Delta Plan was released by the
state’s Delta Stewardship Council in early November. The council is moving swiftly
and intends to adopt their Delta Plan in mid-2012.
As this process unfolds, PCWA continues to strongly advocate for and ensure that
the water resource interests of Placer County are considered and respected by state
and federal water planners and policy-makers.
PAGE 2 • PCWA UPDATE
General Manager’s Report
By David A. Breninger
“.....Delta solutions should be financed by
the downstream water exporters who
created the problems in the first place....”
Status Quo Budget
Holding the Line
PCWA enters the new year with an
overall 2012 budget of $81.7 million,
which is down from the 2011 budget of
$87 million, mainly because the upgrade
of L.L. Anderson Spillway at French
Meadows Dam is nearing completion.
Director of Financial Services Joe
Parker said the agency has worked to limit
spending as possible without adverse
impacts on water customers. He
described the 2012 budget as “status quo.”
No Rate Increases
The new year marks the third straight
year that PCWA water customers will see
no water rate increases. Parker said the
agency has worked hard to maintain current
costs of service, allowing it to hold
the line on rate adjustments.
The 2012 budget includes a $59.1
million Water Division budget, an $11.8
million Power Division budget and a $10.8
million Agency Wide budget.
Employees Recognized
Good Citizens
In recent weeks, members of the
community have stepped forward
to recognize the good deeds of
PCWA employees.
Anonymous Donation
In August, disabled and unemployed
veteran Andrew G. Sullivan wrote to The
Auburn Journal about an anonymous $50
donation left in his car. “The only person
I had spoken with was a gentleman who
identified himself as an employee of the
Placer County Water Agency,” Sullivan
wrote. “There could not have been anyone
else. It was the nicest gesture to happen
to me.”
Pet Rescue
In September, Scott Paszinski wrote
to the agency to commend hydroelectric
operator Kelly Bacall for the rescue of his
large bull mastiff after the dog fell into
Ralston Forebay and couldn’t get out.
“People like Kelly need to be recognized
for their actions,” Paszinski wrote.
Good Presentation
In October, members of the
Springfield Homeowners Association in
Rocklin wrote to PCWA to commend
Director of Customer Services Matt
Young and staff engineer Tony Firenzi for
an informative and educational presentation
at an association meeting.

Construction Set on Ophir Road Pipelines
Water Coming to Ophir Road
Ophir Road businessman Sam Devai, right, reviews plans with PCWA project
engineer Rick Lund and inspector Juan Sahagun. The Ophir Road Pipelines
Project will provide treated water and fire protection to the Ophir Road
corridor and add reliability to the PCWA water delivery system.
Three key pipelines will be installed along the Ophir
Road corridor between Newcastle and Auburn in
2012 and 2013, expanding PCWA’s ability to supply
water from the American River.
The PCWA Board of Directors on Nov. 17 selected a contractor
for the project, awarding a $12.9 million construction
contract to Ranger Pipelines, Inc. Ranger submitted the lowest
among 10 bids received by PCWA. The bids ranged as high as
$19.2 million.
Beginning in early 2012, the contractor
will be laying the pipelines
along a major segment of Ophir Road.
The work extends past Lozanos Road
and through the Ophir Road commercial
area to the PCWA Ophir Road
Pump Station near Wise Road. Most
of the work in the Ophir Road commercial
corridor is planned for this
summer.
PCWA project engineer Rick Lund
said the work includes three pipelines
of different sizes, each serving different
purposes. All three pipelines are
being installed at the same time to minimize
disruption to homes and businesses
in the Ophir Road area.
A 60-inch diameter steel pipeline
will run for 4923 feet from Lozanos
Road up to the PCWA site above Werner Road
where it will eventually carry treated drinking
westward from a future PCWA water treatment
plant.
A 45-inch diameter steel pipeline will run for
4676 feet from the Hillview Road area up to
Werner Road. This pipeline will supply a second
source water for the PCWA Sunset Water
Treatment Plant.
The 12- and 18-inch pipelines, totaling
16,016 feet, will connect to PCWA’s existing
Newcastle storage tank and treated water system
and will supply treated drinking water to areas
along Ophir Road and Interstate 80.
The new water supply is especially welcome to
business owners along Ophir Road who have
relied on wells in the past. Sam Devai, owner of
Omega Diamond, Inc., a manufacturer of diamond
tooling and equipment, said the treated
water supply is a key factor in his expansion plans.
He is also pleased that the water system includes
hydrants for added fire protection.
American River Water
The new pipelines continue PCWA’s progress
in accessing and distributing water from the
American River. The American River Pump Station went into
operation in 2008 and was followed by the Ophir Road Pump
Station. These key facilities pump water from the river canyon
up into the Auburn-Ophir area.
The Ophir Road Pipelines Project is scheduled for completion
by August 2013.
Public outreach meetings have been held with community
members. Updates to the Newcastle/Ophir Municipal Advisory
Council (MAC) and local business and homeowner groups will
continue for the duration of the project. Project updates will be
posted on the PCWA website, www.pcwa.net.
PAGE 3 • PCWA UPDATE

Your Elected
Board of Directors
PCWA is an independent public
agency governed by an elected Board
of Directors. Directors represent
each of five districts in Placer County
and are elected by voters to fouryear
terms.
Your PCWA Board
of Directors:
DISTRICT 1: Gray Allen
DISTRICT 2: Alex Ferreira
DISTRICT 3: Lowell Jarvis
(2011 Board Chairman)
DISTRICT 4: Mike Lee
(2011 Board Vice Chairman)
DISTRICT 5: Ben Mavy
Public Meetings
The Placer County Water Agency
Board of Directors meets regularly
the first and third Thursdays
of each month at 2 p.m. at the
Placer County Water Agency
Business Center, 144 Ferguson
Road, in Auburn. The public is
welcome.
www.pcwa.net
This newsletter is published
as a public service of the
PLACER COUNTY
WATER AGENCY
MAILING: P.O. Box 6570
Auburn, CA 95604
Location: 144 Ferguson Road
Auburn, California 95603
(530) 823-4850
(800) 464-0030
General Manager: David A. Breninger
Newsletter Editor: Dave Carter
Water Efficiency
Saving Water
on The Job
Business and commercial water
users may wish to take advantage
of free services offered through
PCWA’s Water Efficiency Program.
As they do with Water Wise House
Calls, PCWA’s water efficiency specialists
will visit your business or commercial site
to inspect your system and offer advice
on ways to save water and money on your
water bill.
Free Service
Water Wise Commercial and Business
Calls include interior and exterior system
inspection, leak checks and recommendations
for improvement.
“I definitely encourage our business
customers to have a member of our
Water Efficiency team out to complete a
Water Wise Business Call,” said PCWA
Director of Customer Services Matt
Young. “Often a simple recommendation
from this team yields a recognizable benefit
to a customer, and it’s a free service.”
IN BRIEF....
New Deputy Director
Richard Cutlip (right) joined PCWA Oct. 24 as the
agency’s Deputy Director of Customer Services. He brings 20
years of water industry experience to his new position, having
previously worked with the Nevada Irrigation District in Grass
Valley, the City of Walla Walla, Washington, and the Baldy Mesa
Water District in Southern California.
Printed on 50% recycled fiber content with
25% post-consumer waste, FSC certified
paper with eco-friendly inks
Water efficiency specialists Julie O’Connor
and Audra Van Fossen are pictured with a
water agency exhibit
Visits are conducted on request by
appointment. Please call (530) 823-4850
to schedule a visit to your business.
FREE WATER WISE
COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS CALLS
• Toilets are checked for leaks. Flapper
valves are replaced if needed or requested.
• Faucet flow rates are measured.
Aerators are provided for break rooms and
bathrooms.
• Irrigation system efficiency is evaluated.
Leaks, broken or mismatched sprinkler
heads, pressure and other common problems
are identified. Irrigation schedules are
provided.
• Water efficiency program materials and
landscaping tips are provided.
New Spillway at French Meadows
Work is nearly complete on the two-year, $20 million
upgrade of the spillway on the dam at French Meadows
Reservoir. PCWA project engineer Jon Mattson said project contractor Kiewit
Infrastructure West planned to be off the mountain work site by early December and
return next spring for minor cleanup and paving work.
New Infrastructure at Lake Alta
In a two-year project completed this summer, PCWA has rehabilitated the outlet at
Lake Alta in the foothill community of Alta. The work includes a new outlet gate,
control valve and tunnel lining. The work is designed to reduce leakage, improve safety
and improve water flow management.