Water is essential for our daily needs and also a lifeline when wildfires threaten our community. Yet, many communities in Lake Tahoe are not adequately served by water systems that can support appropriate fire suppression.

At a time when wildfires threaten our communities with increasing frequency and intensity, enhancing water infrastructure in our communities is vital. The TCPUD understands its role in supplying water for fire suppression and is actively planning to improve critical fire protection elements in your water system, including the upsizing of water mains and installing additional fire hydrants.

While it’s difficult for a homeowner to know the current size or condition of the underground water mains, have you ever noticed the location of the nearest fire hydrant? You might be surprised to discover that water from a fire hydrant may not be easily accessible from your property due to the current insufficient spacing of hydrants. Your water system’s effectiveness in responding to a fire event is directly impacted by its deficiencies in fire hydrants and the undersized and failing water mains.

Did you know?

These types of improvements were key to protecting life and property in South Lake Tahoe when the 2021 Caldor Fire crested the ridge above Christmas Valley. A complete network of fire hydrants appropriately spaced throughout the community and connected to large water mains were capable of delivering sufficient volumes of water. Coupled with forest fuel reduction projects that reduced the intensity of the incoming wildfire, firefighters were able to enter the community and extinguish spot fires that posed a significant threat and most certainly would have destroyed homes. However, not a single home was lost in Christmas Valley.

To learn more about the Tahoe Cedars Reconstruction Project and proposed funding sources, visit www.tcpud.org/tahoe-cedars-reconstruction-project.

Questions? Or to update your contact information: Please email Denise Springsteel at dspringsteel@tcpud.org or call 530-580-6291.