TUD Awarded $2.8 Million Grant to Improve Water Delivery by Tuolumne Utilities District Mar 25, 2022 Member Submitted News The Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD or District) will receive $2,840,282 in grant funding for its Mt. Provo Transmission and Intertie Project from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) second phase of funding through the Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant program. The District was notified by DWR on Monday, March 21, 2022, that it was one of 62 projects that will receive financial assistance to tackle drought impacts on human health and safety, protect fish and wildlife resources, and support other public benefits, such as ecosystem improvements. TUD’s project entitled “Mt. Provo Water Transmission and Intertie to Benefit the Communities of Ponderosa Hills and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians” is focused on water consolidation and reliability by installing approximately 14,000 lineal feet of 8-inch water main pipeline and two strategically located pressure reducing stations on Mt. Provo Road in the Ponderosa Hills area. In addition, this project addresses fire and climate resiliency by installing 10 new fire hydrants in areas of high fire danger and increasing available water storage for seasonal or extended periods of drought. The project consolidates the Ponderosa water treatment plant, four tanks and five booster stations, lowering future costs associated with operation and maintenance. “This project is just another step towards water system consolidation and will allow the District to deliver reliable, high quality water to the Ponderosa system from the Upper Basin system in Twain Harte,” remarks Don Perkins, General Manager. This interconnection will serve as one of the main arteries of the District’s water transmission system from the future Sierra Pines Regional Water Treatment and Storage Facility located in Twain Harte. The Ponderosa water system is the main water supply to the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians community. “This project supports the Tribe’s current resilience, growth, and development goals and will continue to be important for generations to come,” states Andrea Reich, Tribal Chairperson for the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians. The District anticipates construction for this project to begin in July 2022.
