| Dear West Shore Friends: FOWS recently learned of plans by the Tahoe City Public Utilities District (TCPUD) to construct a large water treatment plant on the West Shore. Concerns include:
- The environmental and neighborhood impacts of the possible location on Lagoon Street, and
- The costs existing ratepayers may bear for the construction of infrastructure that would benefit Homewood Mountain Resort's expansion (more information below).
Potential Locations: Three locations are currently under consideration (presented with schematic site designs):
- Lodge Road WTP and Chambers Landing Lake Intake
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Lodge Road WTP with Restrooms & Parking*
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- Chamberland Drive WTP and Chambers Landing Lake Intake
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Chamberland Dr. WTP with Restrooms & Parking*
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- Lagoon Road WTP and McKinney Shores Lake Intake
* The two Chamberland sites are being considered with and without restrooms and parking facilities. Cost to Ratepayers: FOWS is concerned that existing TCPUD and other water company customers may bear the costs of new infrastructure that would chiefly benefit the Homewood Mountain Resort:
"Phase I would provide for the maximum capacity needed to serve the TCPUD's MQWSA, the Madden Creek Water Co., and the Tahoe Cedars Water Co.
including the proposed HMR development to be supplied by those water systems. Phase II, if necessary, would provide for an expansion of the maximum design capacity to 1,100 gpm or 1.5 MGD to allow for service to the remainder of the water companies within the potential service area." (
Project Description
, p. 9)
FOWS believes that infrastructure improvements should be paid for by those who would benefit from them, not by existing customers. FOWS wants the TCPUD to ensure that Homewood Mountain Resort pays its fair share, as required by the project's final environmental report.
Not serviced by TCPUD? You may be in the near future!
The Project Description states: "The WLTRWTP would...
potentially provide regional source water to adjacent or nearby water systems; either through wholesale agreements or by consolidation. In particular the following water systems are within the potential service area of the WLTRWTP and represent approximately 2,480 service connections:
o Madden Creek Water Company
o Tahoe Cedars Water Company
o Tahoe Pines/Tahoe Swiss Village Water Company
o Skyland/Nielsen Water Company
o Timberland Water Company"
Upcoming meetings:
There are two
upcoming public meetings
about this project. FOWS especially encourages the public to attend the
May 9th meeting (this Saturday).
TCPUD Sewer & Water Committee
Thursday, May 7, 2015, 8:00 a.m.
TCPUD Board Room, 221 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City
Public Workshop - West Lake Tahoe Regional Water Treatment Plant
Saturday, May 9, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Chambers Landing Restaurant, 6300 Chambers Lodge Road, in Homewood
The environmental documents are anticipated in June 2015. More information is available on the TCPUD's 'micro-site' for the project:
waterplant.tcpud.org
FOWS graciously thanks the hard work of countless community members and volunteers who support our efforts to protect our community and environment. Sincerely, Susan Gearhart, President Friends of the West Shore |
