Tahoe Cedars Water System Reconstruction Project
The Tahoe Cedars Water System Reconstruction Project will provide secure and reliable drinking water and improved fire protection within the Tahoe Cedars service area.
Benefits will include:
- Replacing 15 miles of undersized and failing water mains.
- Installing nearly 100 new fire hydrants where there were previously none.
- Installing over 1,200 residential water meters.
Quick Links
Customer Water Service Line Relocation
Project Status
We have reached an important project milestone by awarding a design-build contract to Granite-DOWL, construction and engineering firms with 30 years of Tahoe Basin experience.
Project Timeline
- 2025 - Focus on project planning, permitting, and design. You may see crews from Granite-DOWL working this summer on below ground investigations and surveying to support the project design.
- 2026 (estimated) – First phase of construction scheduled to begin. Exact construction phase locations are still being determined.
- 2027 – 2031 (estimated) - Remaining construction phases over the next four to five years.
Sign Up for Project Updates
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 this 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.
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Project Details
- Project Overview
In January 2018, TCPUD acquired the Mid-Sierra Water Utility (Tahoe Cedars and Madden Creek water systems) and began operating both systems. In February 2021, the TCPUD Board of Directors adopted a comprehensive Tahoe Cedars Water System Master Plan, which recommended the full replacement of the existing system, which was originally constructed in the 1940s and is actively failing. Following a series of long-term financial planning sessions, the Board directed staff to proceed with design and permitting, development of project implementation plans, and financing plans for the full reconstruction of the Tahoe Cedars water system.
Costs
Fully reconstructing the Tahoe Cedars water system is a unique undertaking for TCPUD. It is significantly larger, more complicated, and more expensive than any previous TCPUD water system reconstruction project and is currently estimated to cost $72 million (does not include costs for relocating the private customer water service lines from backyards to the street). Funding sources for this project will include water rates, property tax revenue, the Infrastructure Improvement Charge, and potential grants.
- Completed Improvements
- Replaced chronically failing water mains on 2nd Avenue.
- Installed an interconnection between the Tahoe Cedars water system and an adjacent TCPUD water system to provide critical backup water supply.
- Project Communications
2025
Tahoe Cedars Board Meeting Notice E-mail - August 8, 2025
Tahoe Cedars Board Meeting Notice Letter & E-Mail - July 11, 2025
Tahoe Cedars Project Update E-Mail - July 2, 2025
Tahoma Tattler (PDF -1.8MB) - January 2025
Letter Sent to All Tahoe Cedars Customers (PDF - 0.9MB) - May 9, 2025
Tahoe Cedars Project Update E-Mail - May 14, 2025
2023
Below the Ground Look at Leaks - March 1, 2023
A Look at Hydrants - March 16, 2023
A Look at Water Mains - March 30, 2023
A Look at Meters - June 16, 2023
Protecting the Community from Wildfires - July 14, 2023
2022
TCPOA Summer Meeting Follow Up - November 18, 2022
Meet the Project Team
- Granite-Dowl
TCPUD awarded the design-build contract to Granite-DOWL, a construction and engineering firm with 30 years of Tahoe Basin experience. Having delivered 255 projects in the Tahoe Basin, Granite-DOWL have extensive local knowledge and a proven track record on complex projects.
Granite Construction is the construction contractor and will be responsible for building the project. Granite specializes in water infrastructure and transportation projects. They lead the industry in safety practices and have earned awards for their commitment to quality and sustainability.
DOWL is the Designer-of-Record and will perform the field investigations and develop the project designs. DOWL has extensive experience providing engineering design services in the Eastern Sierra and has designed and managed the construction of more than 180 miles of new water distribution and transmission main in the region.- Weidinger Public Relations
This project welcomes Jenn Boyd Lemming with Weidinger Public Relations to serve as the primary customer contact throughout the project. With over 17 years at WPR, Jenn consistently delivers outstanding results for clients including the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority (LTVA), Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), and NDOT. Jenn led the communication efforts for NDOT's SR28 Lake Tahoe East Shore Trail, where she worked with Granite as the team's Public Outreach Manager. Based at Lake Tahoe, Jenn is well-acquainted with the project area and has cultivated numerous working relationships with community leaders, residents, and businesses throughout the various work zones.
Private Service Lateral Relocation
Many water mains in the Tahoe Cedars Water System are in backyards, rather than in public rights of way under the street. This project will abandon these backyard water mains and build new water mains, service extensions, and water meters in the street.
Relocating the water system to the public right of way will provide:
• Improved fire hydrant spacing and water flow.
• Reduced construction costs.
• Efficient long-term maintenance and repair.
• Accessible water meters at the property front.
• Elimination of private property disturbance and encroachments.
Property owners with backyard water connections will need to relocate their private Customer Water Service Line to connect to the new water meter location.
The TCPUD Board of Directors adopted Resolution 25-20 establishing rules and regulations related to the relocation of privately-owned Customer Service Lines. The Resolution establishes procedures and policy direction for providing customer notice and setting relocation deadlines.
Key Terms
- Customer Service Line
The water line from the Point of Delivery/Ownership to the property owner’s building foundation, including customer valve, water delivery pipeline, and valves, fittings, and other fixtures. The Customer Service Line is wholly owned by the property owner being served. The property owner is responsible for installing and maintaining this line.
- Point of Delivery/Ownership
The location where ownership of the water facility transitions from the District to the property owner. It marks the end of the TCPUD Service Extension and the beginning point of the Customer Service Line. This is the location where the TCPUD measures a property’s water consumption and where the TCPUD no longer has jurisdictional or sanitary control over the water delivered. The Point of Delivery/Ownership is typically located at the front property line just downstream of TCPUD’s Water Meter Assembly.
- TCPUD Service Extension
he water line and water meter assembly, which begins at the TCPUD’s distribution line and ends at the property’s Point of Delivery/Ownership. This pipe is typically located in the public right-of-way, or an easement, and is owned by TCPUD. TCPUD is responsible for installing and maintaining this line.
- TCPUD Water Meter Assembly
A below ground box, or pit, housing TCPUD’s water meter. TCPUD owns the Water Meter Assembly and is responsible for its installation and maintenance.
Relocation Exhibit
The exhibit below shows what a typical relocation might look like. Click the image to open a PDF of the exhibit.
Frequently Asked Questions - Last Updated 8/8/25
- Who is responsible for relocating the Customer Service Line?
Property owners are responsible for both the cost and installation of their new Customer Service Line.
- How do I know if I need to relocate my private Customer Service Line?
If your existing Point of Delivery/Ownership is already on the front property line, no action is needed. Otherwise, you will be required to relocate your private Customer Service Line before the deadline established by the Board for your construction phase.
If you’re unsure where your Point of Delivery/Ownership is located, check the Private Service Relocation Map. If that is unclear or you have further questions, contact TCPUD’s Technical Services Department. A field visit may be required to confirm your connection location.
- How much will it cost?
Costs vary depending on site conditions like conflicting utilities, soil conditions, length of new pipe, and existing vegetation, landscaping, and hardscaping.
Feedback from local contractors is that many of these types of installations cost an average of $7,000 – $10,000.
Getting quotes from local contractors can help estimate costs. Property owners may be able to reduce expenses by:
• Coordinating with neighbors to use the same contractor
• Providing better access (removing fences, etc.)
• Doing some of the work yourself, like digging trenches- Is there financial help available?
TCPUD is evaluating and may consider offering an interest-based financing (loan) program to assist property owners with the upfront cost of Customer Service relocations.
- When am I required to install my new private Customer Service Line?
We will complete the project in phases, with the first phase starting in 2026. The Board will set a relocation deadline for each phase according to Resolution 25-20. The first relocation deadline is expected to be no sooner than late Summer 2027.
More detailed information on project phasing limits and timelines and anticipated earliest relocation deadlines is coming soon.
- How and when will I be notified about my relocation deadline?
During design, Project staff will communicate with property owners regarding phasing limits, water meter locations, and anticipated relocation deadlines.
The TCPUD Board will establish each phase’s relocation deadline in a public meeting. Affected property owners will be notified of the public meeting with ample advance notice.
After that meeting, affected property owners will be notified of their relocation deadline. Additional reminder notices will be sent during construction.
- Can I install my private Customer Service Line early?
Yes. TCPUD encourages property owners to install their new Customer Service Line to an agreed-upon new Point of Connection early, especially if you are undergoing any significant construction on your property.
In these instances, the property owners would be installing a "dry" Customer Service Line that can then be connected immediately to the new water system once it is built. The current backyard Customer Service Line would need to be kept in service until the new connection, after which it can then be abandoned.
Property owners can contact TCPUD’s Technical Services Department for help with this process.
- Why should I relocate my private Customer Service Line before the deadline?
Construction costs tend to increase over time. Property owners that relocate early will likely pay less for their relocation.
When property owners relocate early it makes District construction more efficient, which in turn saves ratepayer money.
In addition, if you relocate before the District finishes construction, you will be able to immediately connect to the new water system to avoid service disruptions and water pressure reduction.
- What will happen if I don’t relocate my service by the deadline set by the Board?
Properties that don’t complete relocation by the deadline risk being disconnected from the water system.
- Are permits required for this work?
Yes. A TCPUD permit is required. TCPUD will streamline its permitting process and will waive its permitting fees. Guidance documents for the permitting process are being prepared for distribution directly to affected property owners.
Permits from El Dorado or Placer County and, depending on circumstances, TRPA may also be required. The amount of soil disturbance and plumbing modification required for your property will determine the level of permitting needed. TCPUD is working with these agencies to streamline their permitting processes and will supply more information as it is available.
Permits will require inspection of and compliance with each agency’s standards.
- Who does TCPUD recommend install my new Customer Service Line?
As a public agency, TCPUD cannot recommend specific contractors to perform your service relocation. However, TCPUD is working to provide a list of local plumbing and excavating contractors who have requested to be included on a list for this work (coming soon). Property owners may use any contractor (regardless of whether they are on this list) and are responsible for verifying contractor licensure and references.
- Can I install the Customer Service Line myself?
Yes. Property owners may install the new private Customer Service Line themselves as long as it meets District standards and passes inspection. Contact our Technical Services Department for more information.
- Where will the new Point of Delivery/Ownership for my water service be?
The new Point of Delivery/Ownership will typically be located along the front property line that borders the street. TCPUD will distribute a parcel sketch to each affected property owner, showing their property and the proposed Point of Delivery/Ownership location and seeking feedback from the property owner about the suitability of the proposed location. TCPUD will work with each affected property owner to agree upon the most suitable connection point.
If a new Customer Service Line has already been installed in a suitable location, TCPUD will connect to it.
- Why doesn’t TCPUD replace the water main in the same backyard alignment?
Constructing and maintaining new water infrastructure in backyards presents many challenges, including:
• Limited access increases maintenance time and costs
• Construction is 1.5 to 2 times more expensive than building in the public right of way.
• Risk of damaging private improvements like fences, patios, and shedsLocating mains in the public right of way follows industry standards and ensures:
• Efficient system access
• Lower long-term costs
• Reduced impact on private property
• Improved fire hydrant spacing
• Accessible water meters at the property front- How do I benefit from private Customer Service Line relocation?
Reconstructing the Tahoe Cedars Water System and eliminating backyard water mains will result in:
• Less disturbance to private property in the future
• Improved fire safety with more hydrants and better fire flow
• Increased water pressure and system reliability
Following the first review of this item at the July board meeting, the TCPUD Board of Directors reviewed, heard public comment, and adopted Resolution 25-20 regarding property owner responsibility for service line relocations at their regular meeting on Friday, August 15.
- View the Draft Staff Memo, Resolution, and FAQs/website content here: August 15 Board Documents
- Draft Tahoe Cedars Relocation Exhibit (PDF - 5.5MB)
Contact Us
For questions, comments, or concerns about the Tahoe Cedars Water System Reconstruction Project, please contact Jenn Boyd Lemming, Tahoe Cedars Public Outreach Manager, at tahoecedars@tcpud.org or call (775) 339-9612.