October 2009 - South Tahoe Public Utility District

District to realize an economic benefit from the capital expenditure required to implement power
generation. Another reason for rejection was the considerable cost involved. Without funding
assistance the capital costs were too high for the District to absorb.
Other factors worked against the concept of power generation. The regulations pertaining to
supplying power to the electrical power supply grid were unfavorable for some power
generators. The efficiency of the available equipment was insufficient. The task of
reconstructing the C-Line is daunting and not required due to pipeline condition at this time.
The concept of power generation is categorized as a Master Plan concept that has potential for
implementation in the future and should be revaluated with future updates of the Master Plan.
Regulatory and technological changes may someday favor the possibility of District power
generation.
13.5.5 Extend the C-Line to the State Line
The C-Line is an existing 20-inch diameter pipeline conveying the District‟s recycled water from
Luther Pass to the Harvey Place Reservoir. The C-line receives recycled water from the A-Line
and B-Line located within the Lake Tahoe Basin, and generally follows the West Fork of the
Carson River from Hope Valley.
Extending the C-Line to the Nevada State Line is a future project that may or may not be
implemented based on numerous contingencies and issues. If, due to loss of existing land
irrigating with recycled water, the District needs to find additional land for irrigation use of its
recycled water, then the irrigators in Nevada represent an opportunity to the District for those
additional lands to be irrigated with recycled water.
The C-Line currently is aligned along CA Highway 88. Near Woodfords the C-Line turns
southeast to convey recycled water to the Harvey Place Reservoir. The C-Line extension
project would begin near Woodfords and extend to the Nevada State Line. The length of the C-
Line extension could be reduced if the District owned the Diamond Ditch or had permission for
its use to convey recycled water to Nevada. In this case the C-Line extension project would
begin near the Paynesville Bridge. The C-Line extension could be aligned in combination of old
and new CA Highway 88 right of way.
The pipeline diameter of the C-Line extension would most likely match the diameter of the
existing C-Line. If this project is implemented, a more detailed analysis needs to be conducted
to identify potential alignments, size the pipeline and evaluate pressure conditions. The project
would require environmental review and documentation prior to bidding and construction. In
addition, an agreement would have to be secured with Nevada irrigators for winter storage of
the recycled water, otherwise additional infrastructure would need to be considered to allow
continued storage in Harvey Place Reservoir during the off-season.
13.5.6 Injection Well Program
In water resource management, an injection well is a well used to inject water into the
groundwater aquifer as opposed to extracting water from the aquifer. Injection wells provide
artificial recharge of the groundwater aquifer. Surface water and treated wastewater are used
as the source water for injection wells. The quality of the water and the injection location and
depth are key factors in an injection well program. The quality of the water must not degrade
the existing water of the aquifer and the injection location and depth determine the functionality
and usefulness of the injection well.
South Tahoe Public Utility District
Recycled Water Facilities Master Plan - October 2009 Page 13-97