Tundra-TDPUD Fuels Reduction Project Begins [Oct. 28, 2024] 

The Tundra-TDPUD Fuels Reduction Project will begin on Monday, Oct. 28. The project is located north of downtown Truckee and west of the Pioneer Commerce Center (see map below) and will last approximately 6 weeks. Heavy, dangerous machinery will be operating in the area during this time, and we ask that people avoid the area outlined in the map during this project.

The Tundra-TDPUD Partnership Fuels Reduction Project is a private-public partnership between two property owners and TDPUD that will reduce forest fire fuels and improve forest health on 109 acres. The project was awarded FY24/25 Truckee Fire Measure T grant funds because it will expand the efficiency of other recent projects and will reduce fire risk to many adjacent neighbors and nearby communities, including vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure.

OUTAGE ALERT: Brief outages on 10/11 and 10/25 [Oct. 9, 2024]

On Friday, 10/11 and 10/25, NV Energy will be performing transmission line maintenance outside of Truckee that will cause brief power outages to the majority of TDPUD customers. The outages should occur for less than 5 minutes and will take place twice on each day between 8am-5pm. If we receive more detail from NV Energy, we will share with customers via our website.

While we anticipate that these outages will impact a large majority of TDPUD customers, we do not expect most customers in Glenshire, Sierra Meadows, Deerfield, Cold Stream, along Old Brockway Rd. and West River St. or near the airport to be affected. However a few customers in these areas may experience an outage.

TDPUD ALERT: Hwy 89 Lane Closure Continues on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd 

On Wednesday, Oct. 2nd, TDPUD will be working to complete major water pipeline work ¼ mile north of the intersection of Hwy 89N and Rainbow Drive. Crews will be installing a new pipe under the road to create an additional water supply route to Prosser neighborhoods. This is necessary so we can take the existing pipeline offline to rehabilitate a leak without interrupting water service to customers.  

Due to its location under a major roadway, this project will have an impact on traffic. There will be a one-lane closure on Hwy 89 beginning 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd. Work will conclude and the lane will reopen by 7 p.m. or sooner. We urge drivers to please be aware of the active work zone in the Rainbow Drive area, and to operate safely around crews. 

For more information about this project, please refer to the FAQ below. 

Why is TDPUD working on Hwy 89? 

A water pipeline leak has formed near the intersection of Hwy 89N and Rainbow Drive. This leak in the existing pipe is not able to be repaired in the usual manner due to its location under the road and the age of the pipe. Instead, TDPUD will be employing an alternate method of pipeline rehabilitation on the existing pipe and adding a new section of pipe to create system redundancy. Once the new pipe is installed, TDPUD will fix the existing leak and ensure this crucial piece of our system is functioning properly. 

Where is the leak? 

The leak is approximately ¼ mile north of the intersection of Hwy 89N and Rainbow Drive. The pipeline is 25 feet under the ground on one side and 17 feet below the ground on the other side. This is an overwhelming depth to perform pipeline maintenance on.  

Why did this leak occur? 

This pipe was installed in 1968 and has reached the end of its useful life. The age of the pipe, as well as the outdated installation method that was the standard at the time, contributed to this leak.  

How did you find this leak if it’s so far underground? 

TDPUD was made aware of this leak because water started surfacing in the area. Whenever water surfaces, TDPUD analyzes the water to determine if it is water from inside of our system’s pipelines, or if it is naturally-occurring groundwater surfacing. Once we know that the water is due to a leak, we use highly-specialized acoustic equipment to pinpoint the location of the leak underground. 

What do you need to do to fix it? 

First, we need to create an alternate path for water to feed into the Prosser area. Currently there is only one route for water to reach many of our customers in this area. There is no way to take the damaged pipeline offline to fix it without lengthy water service interruptions to Prosser customers. Starting Sept. 30, we will install 200 ft. of new pipeline, and switch Prosser’s water supply to flow through this section of pipeline. 

We will not be able to work on rehabilitating the leak in the existing pipeline until the spring, due to environmental restrictions on performing certain types of construction after Oct. 16. When we resume this work next year, we will be using a trenchless method of pipe restoration. Rather than excavating down to the leak and repairing the existing pipe ,we can put a new pipe inside the existing pipe. We will thread a “slip line,” or smaller pipe, through the affected piece of pipe. This method is cost-effective and will be less disruptive to the area.  

When all of this work is complete, it will add redundancy to our water system. The new pipeline that is installed this fall will become the primary service to Prosser, and the existing rehabilitated pipeline will become a backup water delivery route. This will increase service reliability for the Prosser neighborhoods. 

How will this affect traffic on Hwy 89? 

There will be a one-lane closure on Hwy 89 beginning 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 30. Work will conclude and the lane will reopen by 7 p.m. If an additional day of work is needed, the one-lane closure will extend to Tuesday, Oct. 1, also from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., or until the work is completed if earlier. We urge drivers to please be aware of the active work zone in the Rainbow Drive area, and to operate safely around crews. 

How will this affect water supply to the Prosser neighborhoods? 

We do not anticipate any major interruptions of water service. Localized work may require water outages for some customers for no greater than a few hours.  

Currently, there is only one pipeline that serves the Prosser area. Once this project is complete, this area will have additional redundancy, which is crucial for reliable water service. 

When will this work begin? 

Preliminary work preparing the area for the pipeline replacement began in early September. The major work that will impact traffic on Hwy 89 will only take 1-2 days. We are slated to begin this work on Monday, Sept. 30.  

How long will this project take? 

We are anticipating that we will complete the first part of this project by mid-October. Traffic on Hwy 89 will only be disrupted for 1-2 days, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. 

The work done this fall will result in a new section of pipeline to serve Prosser, so we can take the damaged pipeline offline without interrupting water service. In the spring, we will rehabilitate the existing pipeline that has the leak. That work will not require any lane closures to accomplish. Once repaired, that pipeline will then become the backup pipeline for servicing this territory. Redundancies in our system ensure that we can provide reliable service to TDPUD customers. 

One Shot Operations in Place [July 2, 2024]

On July 1, we put our electrical system into “one shot,” which describes an operational safety practice that we implement during wildfire season. While this process makes our system safer during wildfire season, it also increases the frequency and duration of power outages.

This key safety practice involves disabling circuit protection devices called “automatic circuit reclosers.” A recloser is an automatic switch that is programmed to test the system after sensing a fault, and then continue the transfer of energy if the fault was temporary, therefore avoiding an outage. This is helpful in common instances of contact with power lines, such as animals, tree branches or shedding snow.

While reclosers have greatly improved TDPUD’s electric system reliability, they have the potential to contribute to wildfire ignition when a branch remains in contact with a line during the re-energization process. During wildfire season, we disable this capability for the recloser to reset itself, but this means every fault becomes an outage, all of which require physical inspections of circuits prior to re-energization. You may have noticed that we tend to experience outages in the summer and fall even when there are no weather events happening, and they sometimes take a few hours to resolve. This safety measure is why.

For more information on TDPUD’s wildfire safety practices, visit tdpud.org/wildfire-safety

Prepare for Incoming Winter Storm [Feb. 29, 2024]

A major winter storm is on the way and is forecast to impact Truckee from Thursday, Feb. 29 through Sunday, March 3. The possibility of power outages increases during and after snowstorms, so we urge TDPUD customers to be prepared for potential power loss over the next few days.

TDPUD’s electric infrastructure is built to withstand winter weather, but high winds and dense snow bring challenges. The wetter and heavier the snow, the higher the chance of damage to our electric equipment. Our operations teams have been monitoring the weather forecasts and have made appropriate plans to prepare to respond to outages during this storm, including placing TDPUD staff on standby and alerting partner utilities in the region in the event that outside assistance is needed.

Take precautions now to prepare for potential power loss:

• If you heat your home with electricity or gas, make sure you have an alternative heat source or a plan for keeping warm.
• Prepare coolers to store refrigerated foods in the event of a prolonged outage. Stock up on a supply of non-perishable food and water.
• Charge up cell phones and other electronic devices, and try to keep them as close to fully charged as possible throughout the storm.
• Locate flashlights and backup batteries, battery or hand-powered radios, and other gear that will assist you during a power outage.
• Have a backup plan if you have medical needs that rely on electricity.
• If you plan to use a generator in an outage, take a few minutes to brush up on our generator safety tips at tdpud.org/generator.
• Sign up for real-time outage text alerts in your SmartHub account to stay informed during an outage. A step-by-step guide to enroll can be found at tdpdud.org/outage.
• Please be patient! Hazardous road conditions and inclement weather can create obstacles for our crew when responding to outages.

If a power outage occurs:

• Check to ensure that TDPUD is the cause of the power outage. If you are at home, first check your circuit breakers and if it is safe to do so look outside to see if there is any damage on your property. Also check to see if your neighbors’ power is out or not.
• Stay away from downed power lines and call 530-587-3896 to report this or other electric equipment damage.
• If the outage still exists, check your email or text messages to see if you received an automated message that power is out at your address. To receive these messages, you must be enrolled in outage alerts in your SmartHub account. For instructions on how to enroll go to tdpud.org/outage.
• If you are not enrolled in automated outage alerts, go to TDPUD’s outage map and see if it shows your neighborhood out of power. For privacy reasons, this map is not granular enough to view specific addresses, but you will see shading in your area if it is out of power.
• If your area shows it is out of power, please do not call to report the outage. We are aware of the outage and will be working to respond as soon as possible. Calling to report an outage that is already recorded can cause duplication in our system and skew the numbers on the outage map.
• If your area does not look like it is shaded on the outage map, then call us at 530-587-3896 to report the outage.
• During widespread or extended outages, in addition to email and text updates TDPUD staff posts outage updates on our website homepage and our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X). When new information is available, it will be posted here. Please be patient and understand that we will work to relay information as soon as possible, but while crews are responding and investigating the outage cause and location there may be a period of time with no new information. Additionally, we will do our best to provide an estimated restoration time when repairs begin, but these are our best estimates and are subject to change.

This is forecast to be a serious storm. TDPUD urges our customers to heed all warnings, stay off the roads and be prepared for potential power loss. Our crews are ready to respond in the event of an outage and we will be working hard to restore and maintain power, but it is important to note that our response time could be impacted by inclement weather or dangerous conditions.

Starting in mid-November, TDPUD will be doing upgrades to our electrical system that will require approximately 1 hour-long outages for a handful of our customers.

What work is being done?

Linemen will be replacing fuses on power poles throughout Truckee. Existing fuses are being replaced with a new, more modern technology called current-limiting fuses. This project began earlier this year, but much of the work did not require customer outages.

Why is this work being done, and how does it benefit the community?

This newer technology improves the reliability and resiliency of our electric infrastructure and mitigates wildfire risk.

What neighborhoods will you be doing this work in, and when?

This work has been ongoing for the last few months, as the goal is to eventually replace all fuses within TDPUD’s electrical system. However, this work has not required outages to customers so far.

On Monday, Nov. 13, we will begin planned power outages related to this work. We will be starting in the Tahoe Donner, Prosser, Armstrong, Meadow Park and Gateway neighborhoods.

How will this work affect me?

If you are in an area that requires de-energization to complete this work, you will experience a short power outage on the day that our crews are in your area. We anticipate that these outages will take approximately 1 hour.

How will you notify customers ahead of these outages?

We will send email and phone notifications to customers that will be affected by these outages. Customers will get a message alerting them of which day they will experience the brief outage.

We will have multiple crews out working on this, and they will be moving quickly across a number of locations. Due to these logistics, we cannot be more specific about the exact time the outage will occur. But it will not occur outside the hours of 7am-5pm.

While we will do our best to give notice in advance, if the schedule changes and allows for us to get to certain areas earlier than scheduled, you may get a knock on your door from a TDPUD lineman to alert you about an immediate outage. We appreciate your understanding should this occur.

One Shot Operations in Place [Aug. 21, 2023]

Last week, we put our electrical system into “one shot,” which describes an operational safety practice that we implement during wildfire season. While this process makes our system safer during wildfire season, it also increases the frequency and duration of power outages.

This key safety practice involves disabling circuit protection devices called “automatic circuit reclosers.” A recloser is an automatic switch that is programmed to test the system after sensing a fault, and then continue the transfer of energy if the fault was temporary, therefore avoiding an outage. This is helpful in common instances of contact with power lines, such as animals, tree branches or shedding snow.

While reclosers have greatly improved TDPUD’s electric system reliability, they have the potential to contribute to wildfire ignition when a branch remains in contact with a line during the re-energization process. During wildfire season, we disable this capability for the recloser to reset itself, but this means every fault becomes an outage, all of which require physical inspections of circuits prior to re-energization. You may have noticed that we tend to experience outages in the late summer and fall even when there are no weather events happening, and they sometimes take a few hours to resolve. This safety measure is why.

For more information on TDPUD’s wildfire safety practices, visit tdpud.org/wildfire-safety

Northwoods Construction [Aug. 14, 2023]

On Monday, Aug. 14, crews began construction work on the section of the Pioneer Trail Pipeline that runs from Northwoods Blvd to the start of the Trout Creek trailhead. There will be a heavy construction presence in the area while this work is ongoing, including a few days of traffic impacts on Northwoods Blvd between Lamplighter Way and the Trout Creek trailhead parking lot entrance, followed by construction work on the north side of the trailhead parking lot. The Trout Creek Trail will still be open and accessible until after Labor Day. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, crews will begin cutting the pavement on Northwoods Blvd. which will result in minimal traffic impact. Depending on how this first stage of work progresses, on either Friday, Aug. 18, or Monday Aug. 21, we will begin one-lane alternating traffic on Northwoods Blvd. between Lamplighter Way and the Trout Creek trailhead parking lot from 7am-5pm, to accommodate the construction of the 300 ft. section of pipeline that runs under the road. This traffic control should only be necessary for a few days. We expect to be done with this part of construction before the end of the week. 

For more information on the project, visit tdpud.org/pioneerpipeline

Glenshire Water Service [May 10, 2023]

Glenshire customers may notice that the water coming from their taps appears opaque or cloudy. We want to assure customers that this is not a quality issue, and this water is perfectly safe to drink. Water looks like this when air mixes with water in the aquifer or pump column.  We are currently servicing the Glenshire community from a well that naturally cascades water in a way that pulls air into its stream before entering the pumps. This mixes the air up within the water, and causes the cloudy appearance.

We will be utilizing this well for the next few months, so Glenshire customers should expect to continue to see their water look like this, though we are adjusting operations to minimize the impact. If you allow the water to sit, the cloudiness will dissipate and you will be left with a clear glass of water. Again, this is purely an aesthetic matter, and has nothing to do with water quality. Water operators are at this well daily, and we test the water quality at this site weekly at a minimum, and often more frequently.

Customers may sometimes complain about this aerated water having an odor, or affecting their water pressure. A slight chlorine smell can be possible, due to the way water off-gasses when it has air mixed in it, but it is not an indication that the water is unsafe to drink. And while air pockets in the water stream can cause “burps” or quick breaks in your water flow when it leaves the faucet or in your toilet, it is not having any effect on your water pressure. See the FAQ below for more information.

FAQ

Why is my water cloudy?

Water can look like this when air mixes with water in the aquifer or pump column. TDPUD is currently servicing the Glenshire community from a well that naturally cascades water in a way that pulls air into its stream before entering the pumps. This mixes the air up within the water, and causes the cloudy appearance.

Is this water safe to drink?

Yes, this water is safe to drink. Water operators are at this well daily, and we test the water quality at this site weekly at a minimum, and often more frequently.

Is there anything I can do to make my water not be cloudy?

You can’t do anything to change the way it comes out of the tap, but if you allow the water to sit, the cloudiness will dissipate and you’ll be left with a clear glass of water.

My water has a slight chlorine smell, is it safe to drink?

Yes, your water is safe to drink. We utilize a very minimal amount of chlorine in our water supply, to act as a disinfectant. It’s actually the only thing we add to the Truckee Water System; it does not get treated with any other chemicals. When there is air trapped in the water, it causes the chlorine to off-gas, which just means that you may be able to detect a chlorine odor. This does not mean that anything has changed with your water or that it is unsafe to drink.

My water pressure seems off from this cloudy water, what should I do?

When air gets trapped in the water stream, once it reaches its final destination (your faucet or toilet) the release of those air pockets can cause “burps” or short lapses in water flow. This is normal, and it does not affect your water pressure. Your water pressure will be the same whether your water is aerated or not.

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