Water Quality
Water Quality Alerts
- None at this time
Water Quality & Consumer Confidence Reports
TCPUD has released its 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, an annual water quality report required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), Division of Drinking Water (DDW).
TCPUD continues to meet or exceed all drinking water quality standards set by the EPA and DDW. Read the full reports here:
2023 Tahoe Cedars Water System Report
2023 Tahoe City Water Systems Report
2023 Madden Creek Water System Report
2023 Timberland Water System Report
Learn about Chlorine in Your Water
- Chlorine in Your Water
Our customers can trust that TCPUD’s water is clean, safe and meets or exceeds all State and Federal drinking water standards. One of the preventative measures TCPUD takes to ensure safe water is the use of small amounts of chlorine as a disinfectant.
Learn More About Chlorine in Your Water
As part of TCPUD's continuing efforts to improve the infrastructure within the Tahoe Cedars, Madden Creek and Timberland Water Systems, there will be times when the TCPUD will need to introduce chlorine into these water systems to protect the health and safety of our customers. If you have any questions about chlorine in your water, please contact Aaron Hussmann at 530.580.6291 or email.
Your Water is Safe from PFAS
Tahoe City Public Utility District’s drinking water remains safe from contaminants, including the group of manufactured chemicals called PFAS.
- What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others. It can be found in fast-food packaging, non-stick pans, waterproofing products, clothing, makeup, and in numerous other products that people use every day.
- Are PFAS Harmful?
Current scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes. However, research is still ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects. Research is also underway to better understand the health effects associated with low levels of exposure to PFAS over long periods of time, especially in children.
- What is TCPUD doing to identify PFAS occurrence?
TCPUD has completed a series of water sampling tests required by the EPA under Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5). Unregulated contaminants are those that do not yet have a federal drinking water standard.
The purpose of monitoring for these contaminants is to help the EPA decide whether the contaminants should have a standard in the future based upon nationwide data. The UCMR5 that began in 2023 includes 29 per and polyfluoroalkl substances (PFAS) and Lithium. A summarization of TCPUD’s UCMR5 results can be found in the Tahoe City Main Water System Consumer Confidence Report.
Additionally, TCPUD proactively started monitoring each of its water sources in preparation for the implementation of a new PFAS Rule.
- The New EPA PFAS Rule:
In early 2023, EPA took a key step to protect public health by proposing to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS compounds known to occur in drinking water. On April 10, 2024, EPA released the final PFAS Rule (Rule). This Rule sets limits for five individual PFAS compounds including PFOA and PFOS, and it also sets a limit for a mixture of any two or more of four PFAS.
The final PFAS Rule sets maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOS and PFOA at 4 parts per trillion each. This Rule requires initial monitoring by 2027 and implemented solutions by June 25, 2029, to ensure water sources do not exceed the new MCLs.
- What is TCPUD doing for ongoing PFAS assessment?
TCPUD has already completed initial monitoring and will confidently meet new standards prior to the PFAS Rule effective date in 2029. TCPUD remains committed to providing drinking water that meets all EPA Drinking Water Standards whether it’s PFAS, or any other contaminant.
- How do I know if my private well water is contaminated with PFAS?
PFAS compounds are odorless and tasteless. To determine if the compounds are present at detectable levels, your well must be tested. Information about testing can be found at the State of California Domestic Well Testing website.
- Additional Information
EPA - PFAS Rule Fact Sheet (PDF - 162kb)
EPA - PFAS Information Page