October 2009 - South Tahoe Public Utility District

An advantage to this alignment is the proximity of the pipeline to the ranchettes. Although the
permitting and application of recycled water on small areas may take considerable negotiation,
this alignment would provide the necessary infrastructure.
The conceptual cost for this alignment alternative is $5.5 million.
9.8.6 Project Considerations
While the Diamond Ditch is the primary conveyance mechanism of the District‟s recycled water
system, the District must consider the issue of capital investment for improvements to the
Diamond Ditch system that is owned by others.
9.9 Project No. 9 - On-Farm Pipeline
This project addresses the purpose and need statement:
PN-8. The Diamond Ditch conveyance capacity currently does not meet the on demand
recycled water flow rate of 25 cfs of the agreement between the District and the
Contractor Irrigators. Additionally, the District does not have control of the Diamond
Ditch.
The On-Farm pipeline is planned to provide recycled water to the Alpine County irrigators on the
east side of the West Fork of the Carson River. This pipeline would allow for regulated
application rates of recycled water and would provide the District with greater control over the
recycled water delivery. In the future this pipeline alignment would be used to convey excess
recycled water from Alpine County to Nevada recycled water applicators. The pipeline would
service existing permitted and new lands in the future should the need arise.
The implementation of this project is contingent upon the need for additional land for irrigating
with recycled water.
9.9.1 Project Description
The On-farm pipeline (see Figure 9.3, at the end of Section 9) would share the forebay with the
waterfall pipeline. This design would allow for a single alarm. The alignment would follow the
existing On-farm diversion ditch and access road. The 20-inch diameter, 6,700-foot pipeline
would be capable of delivering a considerable amount of water at a higher pressure. This rate of
delivery provides the Celio and Brooks ranches with more than adequate delivery volume in
addition to providing a conveyance to Nevada from the Diamond Ditch system in the event that
future excess recycled water is sold to Nevada irrigators.
The conceptual cost for the On-farm pipeline project is $2.8 million.
9.9.2 Project Considerations
This project allows for a controlled delivery of recycled water to the east side contract irrigators.
A design consideration of the pipeline and alignment is the current conveyance demand and the
potential future use of this system. As recycled water production increases in the future, markets
for this excess water may exist in Nevada.
This project should be reviewed with respect to existing and future capacities. The additional
costs associated with the construction of a 20-inch diameter pipeline rather than a smaller line is
South Tahoe Public Utility District
Recycled Water Facilities Master Plan - October 2009 Page 9-74