Capital Improvement Program

Workers in high-visibility gear performing tasks, a forest landscape, a storage tank, a fire hydrant, and industrial machinery.

Investing in Reliable, Sustainabile Water, Wastewater, and Recycled Water Infrastructure

The South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) represents long-term investment in critical water, wastewater, recycled water, and export system infrastructure.

The District plans, designs, and delivers projects that support:

  • Reliable utility service
  • Public health and safety
  • Environmental protection
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Long-term infrastructure sustainability

The current ten-year CIP includes projects focused on replacing aging infrastructure, improving system reliability, and supporting the future needs of our community.

 

The image outlines a $400M investment plan for water and wastewater infrastructure over 10 years, focusing on reliability and sustainability.

 

What is a Capital Improvement Program?

A Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a long-range planning tool used to identify, prioritize, and schedule major infrastructure investment over multiple years.

Two workers in high-vis near an excavator and a fire hydrant, engaged in construction or repair work.

Projects included in the CIP typically involve:

  • Waterline and sewer pipeline replacement
  • Pump station rehabilitation
  • Well and storage improvements
  • Treatment facility upgrades
  • Recycled water and export system infrastructure
  • Technology and asset management improvements

The CIP is updated annually and coordinated with the District’s budget and long-term financial planning efforts.

District Infrastructure Systems

The South Tahoe Public Utility District owns and maintains critical water, wastewater, recycled water, and export system infrastructure serving the South Lake Tahoe community.

Sewer crew worker in high-visibility vest using CCTV robot in a manhole, with safety cone nearby.

District infrastructure includes:

  • 253 miles of water distribution pipelines
  • 11 active drinking water wells
  • 19 water storage tanks
  • 331 miles of sewer collection pipelines
  • 39 sewer pump stations
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • 26 miles of reycyled water export pipeline
  • Recycled water infrastructure, including a reservoir, irrigation ditches, and irrigation 

Maintaining and reinvesting in this infrastructure is essential to supporting reliable utility service, protecting Lake Tahoe and the environment, and ensuring long-term system sustainability for future generations.

Major Projects Planned for the Next 3-5 Years

Upcoming projects focus on replacing aging infrastructure, improving reliability, supporting regulatory compliance, and maintaining sustainable utility service for the community.

The image lists major water system projects planned for FY2027-2029, detailing costs and purposes like improving supply and infrastructure.
The image outlines wastewater and export system projects planned from FY2027-2029, detailing costs and purposes for each initiative.

How Projects Are Prioritized

The District evaluates capital projects using multiple considerations, including

  • Regulatory compliance
  • Public health and safety
  • Infrastructure reliability
  • Environmental protection
  • Asset condition and age
  • Operational impacts
  • Coordination opportunities with partner agencies
  • Long-term financial planning and fiscal responsibility

Projects are reviewed collaboratively among Engineering, Operations, Finance, and executive leadership teams. The District works to coordinate projects and construction schedules to minimize impacts to the community whenever possible.

Innovation & Asset Management

The District continues to invest in technology and data-driven asset management tools to improve infrastructure planning and operational efficiency. 

Current initiatives include:

  • Smarter asset tracking: Upgrading to a new system that helps us better track, maintain, and plan repairs for pipes, pumps, and facilities.
  • Improved mapping: Enhancing our digital maps so we have a more accurate, real-time view of underground infrastructure.
  • Better construction oversight: Using software to manage projects more efficiently, keeping them on schedule and within budget.
  • Advanced sewer analysis: Studying how water moves through the sewer system to identify and reduce excess water from storms or leaks.
  • Proactive inspections: Using data and camera technology to inspect sewer lines and fix issues before they become bigger problems.
  • Real-time monitoring: Tracking wells and pump stations remotely so we can quickly respond to changes or potential issues.

These tools support more proactive infrastructure planning and long-term sustainability.

Coordination with Regional & Community Partners

Many CIP projects are coordinated with local and regional partners to reduce community impacts, improve efficiency, and align infrastructure investments.

Examples include City of Lake Tahoe roadway projects, El Dorado County improvements, utility coordination partnerships, Tahoe Basin environmental initiatives, and fuel reduction and resiliency coordination efforts.

This coordination helps maximize public investment while minimizing disruptions to the community.

Rate Increases

The Capital Improvement Program relies on small but continuous annual rate increases to fund the projects on the plan. By continuing to invest in our system, we will minimize long-term costs, protect the environment, and ensure long-term, quality service.

Visit our Rate Changes Page to learn about the rate study.