PCWA awards more than $337,000 through Financial Assistance Program

The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors approved more than $337,000 in grant funding through its 2026 Financial Assistance Program (FAP), supporting six projects that improve water system reliability, emergency preparedness, backup water supplies, and connections between neighboring water systems throughout Placer County. Established in 1992, the FAP helps eligible public water districts fund projects that strengthen local water infrastructure and improve long-term water supply reliability. Funding for the program comes from PCWA's Agency Wide stewardship funds, helping support water infrastructure projects led by local water providers throughout Placer County without relying on customer water rates. Eligible projects are submitted through PCWA's County-Wide Master Plan process, which helps coordinate regional water planning efforts. Over the past decade, PCWA has awarded approximately $5.2 million through the Financial Assistance Program to support local and regional water infrastructure projects throughout Placer County. For 2026, PCWA received 10 grant applications from nine eligible districts requesting a combined total of nearly $645,000 — almost double the amount available for funding this year. Following evaluation by agency staff and review by the Board's Finance Committee, six projects were recommended for funding based on alignment with the Board's strategic priorities. "We recognize there are significant critical water infrastructure needs throughout Placer County, and we remain committed to supporting local agencies whenever funding is available," said PCWA Board Chair Robert Dugan. "The level of interest in this year's program reflects the ongoing need for investments that help local water systems plan ahead, improve resiliency, and prepare for emergencies." The Board approved grants for the following projects: Donner Summit Public Utility District – $90,000 for a backup generator at the Boreal Pump Station to support emergency water supply reliability. Meadow Vista County Water District – $45,952 for environmental permitting work related to the Bear River Canal Backup Supply project, which would provide redundant water supply capabilities. Midway Heights County Water District – $21,000 for a feasibility study evaluating a treated water intertie between PCWA and Midway Heights along Placer Hills Road. North Tahoe Public Utility District – $50,000 for installation of an interconnection between the Agate Bay Water Company and North Tahoe PUD water systems. Olympic Valley Public Service District – $70,500 for a consolidation study involving Olympic Valley Mutual Water Company and Olympic Valley Public Service District. Tahoe City Public Utility District – $60,000 for construction of an interconnection between the Madden Creek Water System and Tahoe Swiss Village Water System. PCWA's 2026 funding priorities emphasized projects that support emergency supplies, system interconnections, potential consolidations, at-risk water systems, and projects that leverage additional funding sources or local cost sharing. For more information about PCWA's Financial Assistance Program, please see the County-Wide Master Plan at www.pcwa.net.