On September 10, 2025, the Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) marked a transformative milestone with the grand opening of the West Lake Tahoe Regional Water Treatment Plant. This state-of-the-art facility represents years of vision, planning, and collaboration, and Kennedy Jenks (KJ) was honored to be present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside more than 80 community leaders, agency partners, and residents.
The new plant replaces a temporary, seasonal facility and now provides a permanent, drought-resilient source of drinking water and fire protection for communities along Lake Tahoe’s west shore. With the capacity to treat up to one million gallons of surface water from Lake Tahoe per day, the plant serves four distinct district water systems—McKinney-Quail, Madden Creek, and Tahoe Cedars—and is designed to expand service to up to 2,400 customers from Tahoma to Timberland.
The celebration included guided tours of the facility, remarks from state and local leaders, and a symbolic “first sip” of water from the new plant—an emotional moment that underscored the significance of the achievement for the community.
The project began nearly two decades ago, driven by the need for a reliable, year-round water supply that could meet both residential demand and emergency needs, especially in the face of increasing wildfire risks. The project overcame numerous challenges, including the record snowfall, a pandemic, and wildfires.
The facility features advanced membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection systems, ensuring exceptional water quality while minimizing environmental impact. It also includes quieter operations and reduced nighttime lighting to preserve the natural character of the Lake Tahoe region.
Funding for the approximately $30 million project was made possible through strategic partnerships and public investment, including more than $19M from the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and over $5.5 million in grants from the Department of Water Resources, El Dorado Water Agency, and Placer County Water Agency. These financial tools allowed TCPUD to stay within its five-year capital plan without increasing customer rates.
KJ is proud to have supported TCPUD in this journey. While our role was behind the scenes, the spotlight rightly belongs to the District and its partners who brought this vision to life. Their leadership, persistence, and dedication to sustainable infrastructure set a new standard for regional water systems in California.
About Tahoe City Public Utility District
The Tahoe City Public Utility District provides water, sewer, parks, and recreation services within its service area. The District’s boundaries lie within Placer and El Dorado Counties, extending from Emerald Bay to Dollar Hill and along the Truckee River to the Nevada County line. For additional information, see their website at Tahoe City Public Utility District.
About Kennedy Jenks
Kennedy Jenks is a leading water and environmental engineering and environmental sciences firm that serves public agencies and private-sector clients with over 500 employees nationwide. The employee-owned firm delivers innovative design, construction, and technology solutions for water and environmental projects across the United States.
Media Contact
For more information about Kennedy Jenks, please contact media@kennedyjenks.com.
The information on this page was accurate at the time of publication.
