* A physical copy of this Project Update was mailed to Tahoe Cedars water customers on May 9, 2025.

Dear Tahoe Cedars Water System Property Owner,

We are writing to share important updates on the reconstruction of your water system. The Tahoe Cedars Water System Reconstruction Project is one of the most ambitious construction projects undertaken by TCPUD and involves completely rebuilding and replacing the entire aging and failing water system.

With the scope of this project, we are committed to communicating important project steps and information with you. You may have previously seen our updates at Tahoe Cedars HOA meetings, information in the Tattler, and through our email updates (sign up here). 

We have reached an important project milestone by awarding a design-build contract to Granite-DOWL, a construction and engineering firm with 30 years of Tahoe Basin experience. We will be working closely with the Granite-DOWL team to design and build the project and keep Tahoe Cedars property owners updated. 

Project Timeline and Next Steps

The rest of 2025 will focus on project planning, permitting, and design. You may see crews from Granite-DOWL working this summer on fieldwork and surveying to support the project design. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. Exact construction phase locations are still being determined. We expect this project will involve multiple construction phases over the next four to five years.

Private Water Service Lateral Relocation

Existing water mains in portions of the Tahoe Cedars Water System are in backyards, rather than in public right of way under the street. This project will abandon these backyard water mains and build new water mains in the street. Property owners with backyard water connections will be responsible for relocating their private water service laterals to connect to the new water mains.

TCPUD is developing a private water service lateral relocation policy and ordinance. TCPUD will notify affected property owners when this policy goes to the TCPUD Board of Directors in the coming months.

We appreciate your patience as we work to rebuild and improve your water system. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Aaron Hussmann, Public Affairs Specialist, by email at ahussmann@tcpud.org, or by phone at (530) 580-6291.

Sincerely,

Sean Barclay

General Manager

Tahoe City Public Utility District

The project will begin to move at a quicker pace with more frequent updates. We will share timely updates using our project e-mail list (sign up below) and on the project website. 

We will send all official project communications affecting your property via U.S. Mail to the property owner of record. 

You may also receive project updates and communications directly from Granite-DOWL staff on behalf of TCPUD. 

For more frequent project updates:

What is the project?

This project will fully replace the aging Tahoe Cedars water system. The project ensures secure and reliable drinking water and improved fire protection in Tahoma.

Planned improvements include:

• Replacing 15 miles of undersized and failing water mains.
• Installing 97 new fire hydrants.
• Installing over 1,000 new water meters.

Why is it necessary?

The Tahoe Cedars Water System was originally constructed in the 1940s and is actively failing. After acquiring the system from a privately owned water company in 2018, TCPUD immediately commissioned a comprehensive Master Plan to evaluate the system.

This Plan called for the complete reconstruction of the system to correct serious deficiencies including undersized and failing water mains, and a lack of fire hydrants, water meters, and backup water supply.

When is the project happening?

Planning, permitting, and design have begun and will continue throughout 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. We anticipate this project will involve multiple construction phases that will be implemented over the next 4 to 5 years.

Map of the Tahoe Cedars Water System

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