As we observe Water Awareness Month, it's essential to reflect on the need to maintain water supply reliability through increased infrastructure, redundant water supplies, and reduction in water use overall, especially in regions facing growing challenges due to climate change.
The commitment to ensuring a reliable water supply in Roseville is deeply ingrained in the city's history, dating back to the early 1900s when we acquired a private water company. Today, Roseville's water utility remains dedicated to providing quality service while proactively addressing the evolving dynamics of water management.
"Our dedication to water reliability has always been a top priority. We understand the importance of securing our water future for the benefit of current and future generations," said Sean Bigley, assistant director overseeing the water and wastewater utility.
We're fortunate to have relatively reliable water supplies compared to many other communities in California. However, we acknowledge the pressing realities of climate change, rising water demands, and shifting regulatory landscapes, so we must invest in more projects, infrastructure, and programs to position the City of Roseville to successfully manage its water resources in an uncertain future ahead. We have embarked on a multifaceted approach to secure our water future, leveraging innovative strategies and partnerships.
Groundwater program expansion
An active
groundwater program using Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) technology is central to our reliability efforts. This involves tapping into an underground basin to store excess surface water during times of abundance and extracting it when needed, in dry times, or emergencies.
To give some perspective, in 2023, we banked excess surface water, equating to 2,134 acre-feet of water – enough to serve over 6,400 households through ASR.
By managing this resource effectively, we can ensure sustainability and resilience while reducing dependence on surface water supplies. We have and will continue to expand the number of groundwater wells over the next five years. These wells play a pivotal role in augmenting the groundwater basin's reserves, particularly during dry periods, while providing operational flexibility based on supply conditions.
Bolstering surface water supplies
Since 2017, we have been an active participant in projects like Sites Reservoir, an eco-friendly off-river reservoir designed to trap surplus water from heavy storms and reserve it for times of drought. While not a direct beneficiary, supporting such projects alleviates strain on existing water storage facilities throughout the state, enhancing resilience and benefiting the broader community, including the environment.
More recently, we have been in active discussions and securing funding for a joint project with the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) to tap into already available surface water sources upstream of Folsom Reservoir, bolstering accessibility and resilience during droughts and changing hydrological conditions.
This project involves building a pipeline and pumping facilities to tap into existing water sources from the PCWA Middle Fork Project and transport it to our Water Treatment Plant in Granite Bay. This project creates an additional water access point upstream of Folsom Reservoir, improving accessibility during droughts and changing hydrological conditions.
Recycled water keeps landscapes thriving and reduces drinking water demand
Additionally, in the
1990s we began installing purple pipes in new growth areas of Roseville. Using treated wastewater, we use this recycled water to conserve precious drinking water supplies by delivering more than one billion gallons of recycled water annually for irrigation and industrial purposes while promoting drought-proof measures and increasing overall water reliability.
Water efficiency is part of the water supply portfolio
As we continue to look for ways to bolster access to more water, we also invest in a water efficiency program that aids in water supply reliability. Through incentives, educational campaigns, and retrofitting programs, the city fosters a culture of conservation among residents and businesses, building upon past successes in reducing water consumption during scarcity.
As we continue to promote water efficiency, we empower our residents and businesses to be stewards of this vital resource. Over many droughts in the last decade, our customers have responded to the call for efficient water use by reducing usage and using our programs and rebates that help save water.
To learn more about Roseville's water supply future, visit
Roseville.ca.us/waterfuture. For programs and rebate information to save water, visit
Roseville.ca.us/savewater.