Investing in Our Critical Infrastructure

The District’s water system contains over 53 miles of water distribution pipelines, five pump stations, eight water storage tanks, a water treatment plant, two groundwater wells, and one inter-tie with the Tahoe City Public Utility District. We provide nearly 1-million gallons of potable water per day to our customers.

The District’s wastewater system consists of over 73 miles of collection main pipeline, 7.5 miles of force main pipeline, four primary pump stations, and 16 secondary pump stations. We collect nearly 1-million gallons of wastewater per day and pump it to the Tahoe-Truckee Sanitation Agency for treatment, in compliance with the Porter-Cologne Act of 1970.

The average age of the District’s utility infrastructure is now over 50-years old, and even with continuous maintenance and system investment, much of our system is approaching the end of its service life.

In 2017, the District’s developed a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that identified over $51-million in necessary system rehabilitation and replacement over the next 20-years. Since that time, the District has worked diligently to strategically invest in improvements and upgrades that have brought portions of our aging water and wastewater systems to modern standards. However, there is still more work to be done and our progress has been slowed significantly by the impacts of inflation.

Building a Wildfire-Resilient Future for Lake Tahoe

As the primary water supplier for North Lake Tahoe, the District embraces its critical role in community wildfire protection. We are working to ensure that there is a fire hydrant on every neighborhood street and that we have the reliable and redundant water supply to provide the fire flow necessary to help defend our community against the threat of catastrophic wildfire. Improving water infrastructure for fire suppression is a top priority in the District’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Together with the Tahoe City PUD and South Tahoe PUD, the District is working hard to secure federal and state funding to support this important work. While these dollars allow the District to accelerate the pace and scale of projects completed, grants alone do not provide enough support for the necessary investments to protect our communities.

Our Planned System Upgrades & Improvement Projects

Click below for a detailed interactive map of the NTPUD’s completed capital investments and utility system upgrades.

1. Water Distribution Pipeline Replacement and Fire Protection Upgrades – Three (3) miles of water distribution pipelines identified for replacement and upgrade; will replace undersized and failing water pipelines with larger diameter modern pipelines to increase available fire protection flows; install new fire hydrants consistent with coverage requirements.

2. Water System Pump Station Improvements – Replacement and rehabilitation of pumps, motors, and motor control centers that have reached the end of their service life.

3. National Avenue Water Treatment Plant Upgrades – Complete necessary end-of-life equipment replacements and control system upgrades at the water treatment plant.

4. Smart Metering throughout the District – Replace aging water meters throughout the District’s three (3) water systems with modern smart meters. Smart meters will allow for remote collection of water use data — in real-time. This technology provides more accurate measurement, leak detection, and improved efficiency resulting in water savings.

5. Secondary Wastewater Pump Station Upgrades – Rehabilitate or replace eight (8) of the secondary stations that date to 1969 and have reached the end of their service life.

6. Wastewater Collection Main Rehabilitation – Rehabilitate three (3) miles of wastewater collection main pipeline that are showing signs of failure.

7. Wastewater Force Main Condition Assessment – Installed in 1968 and approaching the end of its service life; a comprehensive condition assessment of the District’s wastewater export force main pipeline to develop rehabilitation and service life extension recommendations.

8. District Fleet, Electrification, and Corporation Yard Improvements – Replace several pieces of heavy equipment and vehicles that have reached the end of their service life. The NTPUD fleet must move toward electrification in accordance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleet requirements, beginning in 2027. Upgrades and seismic retrofits to various corporation yard buildings and facilities.

Prioritizing Property Tax Revenue for Reinvestment

An important component of the District’s rate assessment, and long-term financial stability, is to shift the use of the District’s property tax revenues. Currently, the District utilizes a portion of our property tax revenues to subsidize the indirect operating costs of the water and wastewater utilities. The proposed rate adjustments allow the District to fund these operations through rate revenues and direct property tax revenue into critical infrastructure projects.

Rate Relief Assistance Program

Beginning in July 2024, the District will offer a structured Rate Relief Assistance Program to income-qualified customers who have their primary residence within the District. Details and qualifications for this new program will be available in Summer 2024.