Where Does Your Water Come From?

When you turn on your tap and enjoy clean, cold, quality water you probably don't think much about it. But there's a lot that goes into delivering that water to your glass.

Pure. Protected. Local.

The Martis Valley Groundwater Basin is our sole water source and has been extensively studied over the decades. It's a deep, naturally filtered aquifer and we use less than ⅓ of the sustainable yield annually. Snowmelt runoff is naturally filtered through layers of silt, cobble and granite. The result is fresh groundwater that is 52 degrees – it’s crisp, cold and delicious.

13 Deep Wells, 35 Tanks, 26 Pump Stations, 238 miles of pipeline
Average well depth: 600-800 feet
Water age: Hundreds to over 1,000 years
Annual Sustainable Yield: 24,000 acre-feet

Tahoe Donnor Aquifer Graphic

What You Drink, We Test.

TDPUD samples and tests our drinking water more than 1,000 times each year to ensure your water meets or exceeds state and federal standards. Water is delivered quickly from well to tap, maintaining its cold, fresh quality. The result is service reliability and safety every time you turn on your water.

water quality aquifer testing

Infrastructure You Can Count On

Your water rates support sustainability, maintenance, upgrades, and future planning for a growing community. Water rates also support the trained professionals who work diligently every day to serve water to our community and to comply with the many state and federal laws and regulations that continually impact water utilities. From replacing aging pipelines to building climate resilience, every dollar goes to keeping your system strong.

Tahoe Donnor Infrastructure

TDPUD Water in the News

"Where Does Our Water Come From?" TDPUD's Communications Team talks with Truckee-Tahoe Radio about all things Truckee water—where it comes from, how we deliver it to you, and the upcoming water rate public process.

Truckee Tahoe Radio · TDPUD Water Talk; Where your water comes from.

"From Snowmelt to Tap: Truckee Donner PUD launches educational campaign on town’s water supply" The Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) has launched a community-focused educational campaign to share the story behind every glass of water in Truckee. Read more in the Sierra Sun

"Truckee Donner PUD gears up for project-filled summer" TDPUD's 2025 capital projects will focus on maintenance work on critical water infrastructure and implementing new technologies to reduce water loss. Read more in the Sierra Sun

TDPUD water crew working on a valve flushing project in Olympic Heights in 2025

Resources to Learn More

Water Quality & Testing
See the detailed results of our 1,000+ annual water tests
View Water Quality Reports

Groundwater Management
Learn how we protect and sustainably manage the Martis Valley Basin
Groundwater Management Plan

Conservation Programs
Discover rebates, tips, and programs to help you save water and money
Conservation Resources

Complete Water Department Info
Everything about our water operations, projects, and planning
Water Department Hub

Truckee Mountain Filtered

Truckee's drinking water is clean, cold and delicious, naturally filtered by the same rugged mountains the area is known for.

Truckee Mountain Filtered is a collaborative initiative between the Truckee Donner Public Utility District and Keep Truckee Green, focused on public education and advocacy around Truckee’s clean, naturally filtered tap water.

Learn more at TruckeeMountainFiltered.org

Your Water Rates at Work

Crew installing water meter in pipeline

Every year, TDPUD tackles capital and maintenance projects to enhance our ability to serve the community reliably and safely. TDPUD does long-term, strategic planning to lay out the best way to invest rates back into utility infrastructure.

Some of the major projects for the water utility this year included pipeline replacements, tank and well rehabilitations, clay valve maintenance and flushing, leak detection and master meter installation.

Head to our Your Money at Work web page to learn more.

Locally sourced. Community Supported. Future Focused.

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