About Us
The Johnsville Public Utility District (JPUD) is in south central Plumas County which encompasses the community of Johnsville in the heart of the Plumas National Forest and Plumas Eureka State Park.
The Townsite of Johnsville was first platted in 1876, at the time of consolidation of gold lode mines on Eureka Peak. The District has pre-1914 water rights to spring water from an unnamed spring in the Johnsville area. The raw water supply consists of springs,
The water supply system was operated in early times by the Johnsville Water Company and was succeeded on November 15, 1947 by the Johnsville Public Utility District (JPUD) which is the current system owner.
Graeagle Land & Water Company is our system operator.
The JPUD provides domestic water services to the community of Johnsville, Plumas Eureka State Park, and one commercial restaurant.
Governance
The JPUD is governed by a three-member Board of Directors; and managed by a District Manager.
Specific to JPUD, within the Public Utility District Act is an exception to the requirement that only those that reside within the District are eligible to sit on the Board of Directors.
Because of the small full-time resident population, the Act allows landowners to sit on the Board of Directors only in the case ofCitations: CA Pub Util Code § 15974 (2018); Added byStats1973.CH36Public Utilities Code 16461;JPUD37).
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
A complete review of our district was completed and filed by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) on August 14,2017. LAFCO is empowered to complete Municipal Service Reviews (MSR’s) by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Government Code §56000, et seq.), which took effect on January 1, 2001.
The results of this review can be found at the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission.
California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB)
The JPUD falls under the regulatory control of the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB). Enforcement authority of the SWRCB includes drinking water systems, water quality, water rights, and water boards.
In 2017 the JPUD received a routine report from the board indicating that our two redwood water tanks were reaching the end of their service life with a recommendation that the district begin a process of replacing the tanks.
Operations
Based on the SRWQCB’s recommendation the JPUD built a team to establish and complete a Tank Improvement and Liquid Chlorination Project.
In 2020 our team completed a Preliminary Engineering Report and applied for both a short term bridge loan and long term financing for the Project. Both loans were approved in August of 2020. We obtained the bridge loan thru the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC); and a committment for long term financing with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which is a combination of grant and financing.
On April 29,2022 we received additional grant funding with the assistance of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Rural Water Association (CRWA) under the Water Resources" Small Community Drought Relief Program for $1,466,200. This is a 100% grant which is in addition to the USDA's commitment of $833,200. The USDA's committment consists of a $483,000 loan for 39 years at 1.5% and a 100% grant for. $350,200. On May 5,2023 our grant funding increase request to DWR was approved for an additional $700,000.
The JPUD anticipates Project completion in the fall of 2025. The Project entails the construction of two 100,000-gallon steel bolted water storage tanks at the existing tank farm, the installation of a sodium hypochlorite chlorination system, and the replacement of two 88,000-gallon redwood water tanks.
The JPUD implemented a number of Resolutions to enhance our efficiency and transparency. Additionally, in 2021 we renewed our US Forest Service Special Use Permit for 20 years and secured a lease with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. (Leases and Permits)
Existing Demand
At present the District serves a total of 48 active connections (46 residential), one commercial, and the Plumas Eureka State Park. Demand for water services within JPUD is also affected by the influx of seasonal tourists and second homeowners during the warmer months.
Growth and Population Projections
The community within the Johnsville Public Utility District (JPUD) is seasonal/recreational with minimal occupation during the winter. No population growth is anticipated within the District in the near term.