February 2021
El Dorado Water NEWStream
February Edition

The beginning of a new year makes it easy to focus on the future. With the days beginning to lengthen, and an entire year ahead, the optimism of the new year can inspire our most ambitious plans, and encourage us to build on our accomplishments. 

As we begin 2021, the Agency has a lot to build on. In December, we released the new 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, an updated mission and vision, and new goals for projects, programs, and initiatives for the next five years. The Strategic Plan guides the Agency’s work to ensure reliable water for El Dorado County’s needs, for 2021, and well into the future. Just days ago, we launched the Agency’s new website, which highlights current and upcoming projects and initiatives, and the positive impact they’ll have on El Dorado County, the region, and the entire state of California.

The Agency enters 2021 celebrating more than 60 years of representing water interests within El Dorado County and the greater Sacramento region. We are proud of our successes, but we are not complacent. Instead, we are inspired to build on what we’ve done, and to improve, plan, partner, strategize, and implement.

I look forward to what 2021 will bring for the Agency, and to continue our vital commitment to secure a resilient water supply for the community, environment, and economic prosperity. 

South Tahoe Public Utility District Seeking Input on
Groundwater Management Plan Update
The South Tahoe Public Utility District is seeking input as they update the Groundwater Management Plan for the greater South Lake Tahoe area. Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water for more than 90 percent of the public and private water systems located throughout this area. Your and others’ input on issues and beneficial uses regarding groundwater ensures the region’s Groundwater Management Plan assesses current groundwater conditions, reflects local groundwater concerns, and offers an appropriate long-term management plan to ensure a sustainable and clean water supply.
 
The South Tahoe Public Utility District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), in collaboration with the El Dorado Water Agency GSA, is responsible for developing and implementing an approved Groundwater Management Plan for this region. As such, they are required to periodically review and assess the Groundwater Management Plan. As part of this process, both GSAs will be working with local water providers, private well owners, and resource management and planning agencies to ensure that water needs and issues are fully addressed in the greater South Shore area. To learn more about the process and get involved, visit stpud.us/groundwater/.

New Website Launch
We are pleased to announce the launch of our brand-new website! The new site contains a variety of new features and content, in a user-friendly and easy to navigate format. We encourage you to visit the site today, at www.EDWaterAgency.org.  
New Strategic Plan Completed for 2021-2025 
Our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, SP25+, details the Agency’s updated mission and vision, and lays out goals and priorities for projects, programs, and initiatives through the next five years. SP25+ further aligns the Agency’s initiatives with the 2019 Water Resources Development and Management Plan (WRDMP), which identifies water resource-related challenges in El Dorado County and management programs and strategies to address these challenges.

As part of our responsibilities of the 1959 El Dorado County Water Agency Act, SP25+ sets goals to ensure reliable water for El Dorado County’s needs into the future. The plan prioritizes strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, as well as local and regional partners, including water purveyors, land use and watershed managers, urban, agricultural, and rural business communities, as well as other key stakeholders.

The focus of SP25+ is to further advance our momentum and progress for long-term success through prioritized goals and objectives. Along with the WRDMP, SP25+ will serve as a roadmap for the Agency as we work to secure a resilient water supply for the community, environment, and economic prosperity.