By Maurice Chaney (City of Roseville), Brie Coleman (Placer County Water Agency), and Chris Nelson/Christian Punsal (City of Lincoln)
Ensuring reliable, resilient water takes teamwork. Whether preparing for the impacts of climate change or working to ensure that clean water continues to flow reliably to homes and businesses, local agencies across Placer County recognize the value of working together to strengthen outcomes for the entire region.
Even when projects lie beyond our county lines—such as those in Sacramento County—our agencies actively support and help lead these efforts because water doesn’t follow jurisdictional boundaries. The Sacramento region is vast, and while Placer County agencies work closely together, that collaboration extends across the region. Our water future depends on shared rivers, groundwater basins, and interconnected infrastructure. A united, regional approach is essential to protecting supplies for all of us.
As representatives of the City of Roseville, Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), and the City of Lincoln, we see firsthand how regional coordination turns planning into action. Our agencies collaborate on a wide range of efforts—some addressing immediate needs, others decades in the making—all designed to build a flexible and sustainable water system that serves people, communities, and the environment.
Recently, our three agencies joined together through a joint outreach effort called Water for Our Future. Our message: Our collective planning gives us a stronger foundation for long-term water reliability. The public education program connects with the public and reflects the deeper, long-term work happening behind the scenes: regional strategies that enhance water supply reliability in western Placer County and help protect our natural resources, especially the lower American River, one of the region’s most sensitive ecosystems.
From Coordination to Construction
It takes projects decades to become operational, but a collaborative approach is producing results. For example, the Ophir Project, a new water treatment facility anticipated to break ground in 2026, will treat up to 10 million gallons of water per day—enough to serve 20,000 families in growing areas of western Placer County, including the City of Lincoln. And, this project is expected to scale up over time, ultimately serving as much as six times this amount as our communities continue to grow.
The Ophir Project is an important step toward making Placer County’s water system more reliable and adaptable. Today, many customers depend on water from the Yuba River—a source that’s increasingly vulnerable to drought and changing regulations. By adding the ability to treat and deliver water from the American River, the Ophir Project gives PCWA and its partners more flexibility to manage supplies according to availability while protecting both rivers. It means we can shift between sources when needed, allowing a more resilient response to future challenges.
Another example is the Roseville-PCWA Cooperative Pipeline, a 14-mile project that will provide Roseville with direct access to water supplies upstream of Folsom Reservoir. This infrastructure will deliver up to 10 million gallons per day and reduce Roseville’s reliance on Folsom, improving local water security.
Protecting our Environment
The RiverArc Project adds another layer of flexibility. It will enhance regional water flexibility by shifting certain diversions from the American River to the much larger Sacramento River, reducing environmental impacts without adversely affecting other water users. RiverArc includes the planning and construction of new regional infrastructure that would treat and deliver water from the Sacramento River. This adjustment helps balance water use across the system, easing pressure on the American River, which 80% of the region relies upon, while maintaining reliable access to supply. Additionally, it supports groundwater recharge in wet years and reduces river pumping in dry years, benefiting fish, wildlife, and long-term sustainability. Thus, making RiverArc a complementary surface water project to the Sacramento Regional Water Bank.
Together with water providers throughout the Sacramento region, we’re working to grow the Sacramento Regional Water Bank, which uses underground aquifers to store excess surface water during wet years for recovery during dry conditions. The region’s aquifers can store twice as much water as Folsom Reservoir. This strategy reduces the need to draw from the lower American River when flows are already low, helping protect sensitive fish and wildlife habitat.
These investments are part of a broader strategy to increase drought resilience and reduce environmental stress on one of our region’s most vital natural resources.
Water efficiency remains essential to long-term supply planning
At the same time, our agencies continue to promote water efficiency, a foundational part of regional water management. Through education and incentives like rebates for repairing leaks, efficient appliances, low-flow fixtures, and water-wise landscaping upgrades, we help residents and businesses reduce their water use while maintaining quality of life. Every gallon saved today helps stretch supplies tomorrow. Since 2000, the region’s water use has reduced by 14.34%, while the population has grown by 43.8%.
Water issues are interconnected across city and county lines. By planning and acting together, we’re building a more adaptive and reliable system capable of withstanding drought and long-term climate pressures.
As our region continues to grow and adapt to a changing climate, shared responsibility—and shared action—remain essential. Regional collaboration is helping us make tangible progress toward a more resilient, sustainable future.
Learn more about these efforts at PlacerWaterFuture.com.