public utility district

STPUD extends COVID-19 rate relief program

The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors extended the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial
hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The District’s COVID-19 Rate Relief Program offers a 50 percent credit up to $3,000 for the next quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“Extending the rate relief program is necessary because it’s obvious that the community is still suffering from the financial effects of COVID,” says Kelly Sheehan, Board President.

Groundwater management plan update for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Public Utility District is seeking input from the public as they update the Groundwater Management Plan for the greater South Lake Tahoe area.

El Dorado County vote complete and certified

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The final tabulations are now complete for El Dorado County and the November Presidential election results for the county have been certified.

Here are the final results:

City of South Lake Tahoe - Measure S (Majority to Pass)

9,667 / 12,739 75.89% of registered voters counted
558 Undervotes
2 Overvotes

Yes - 5,804 60.04%
No - 3,303 34.17%

South Lake Tahoe City Council (Top Two Win)

9,667 / 12,739 75.89% of registered voters counted
4,406 Undervotes
38 Overvotes

STPUD extends COVID-19 rate relief program

The South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors extended the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial
hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The District’s COVID-19 Rate Relief Program offers a 50% credit up to $3,000 for the next quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“We’re extending the rate relief program because our community just entered another phase of restrictions, which could cause economic hardship for our customers,” says Randy Vogelgesang, Board President.

Boil water order lifted for North Upper Truckee neighborhood

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The boil water advisory for the North Upper Truckee and
Chiapa neighborhood has been lifted - the tap water is safe to drink.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District collected an additional 30 water samples within the affected area on the evening of Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Chlorine residual levels were found to be normal at all sites. No coliform bacteria, which includes E. Coli, was detected in any of the samples.

North Upper Truckee boil water order to continue until final test results received

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Those in the North Upper Truckee neighborhood in Meyers are still until a boil water advisory but that could be lifted Thursday. The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) has received good results on their first set of water samples from the North Upper Truckee neighborhood.

STPUD collected 30 water samples from the affected Tuesday evening. The tests for chlorine residuals came back normal (ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 parts per million) and no coliform bacteria was detected in any of the samples.

Boil water order in place for North Upper Truckee area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District has issued a boil water alert for the North Upper Truckee neighborhood for all streets off North Upper Truckee between Highway 50 and Zuni Drive, and the Chiapa neighborhood. The boil water advisory is issued out of an abundance of caution and is expected to be resolved by Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Election result updates for El Dorado County - Updates for Douglas County expected Friday

More ballot counts have been released by the elections departments at both El Dorado and Douglas Counties.

EL DORADO COUNTY

El Dorado County election officials have released another tally of ballots counted. The results remain the same as of the November 10 count. Votes Cast: 116,744 of 135,554, or 86.12 percent of eligible voters.

El Dorado County down to 1,000 votes to count - Creegan and Friedrich new South Lake Tahoe councilmembers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department tabulated another 9,614 ballots on Friday, leaving about 1,000 provisional ballots left to count.

At this time, 115,339 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (85.09%).

Cristi Creegan and John Friedrich appear to be the next two South Lake Tahoe City councilmembers. They led the race since the first ballots were counted on election day and came out victorious in the field of ten candidates.

Election results: Creegan and Friedrich still on top of Council race, Measure S passing

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Elections Department has tabulated another 16,320 ballots. They plan to have the count of 9,200 mail-in ballots completed Friday. Then there will be about 1,200 provisional ballots left to count and some ballots that were waiting on signature corrections.

At this time, 105,725 ballots have been counted of the possible 135,554 voters (77.99%).

South Lake Tahoe's Measure S passing, Creegan and Friedrich leading

4:00 p.m. UPDATE: There will be no more updates to the El Dorado County ballot count on Wednesday. According to election officials, mail in ballots are being counted but nothing will be updated on their website until tabulations occur Thursday afternoon.

There have been no updates since Tuesday night to the Douglas County election results.

Ballot counts for El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe

10:46 P.M. UPDATE: Both El Dorado County and Douglas County have released an updated count at this hour. For El Dorado County, 149 of 209 precincts have now been tabulated. Depending on the area, Douglas County shows about 72 percent of Tuesday's votes listed.

Letter: Duane Wallace letter to voters

Dear Voters: Everyone knows what goes downhill, but the South Tahoe Public Utility District knows how to recycle it into 381,000 kilowatts of electricity per year. A recent feature article by the Association of California Water Agencies pointed out that STPUD is one of only a handful of utility districts in the entire world that can claim 100% reuse of wastewater and bio solids. Here’s how. We use centrifuges instead of the usual pollution causing burners. That allows us to make fertilizer for ranch land.

In-person and virtual STPUD candidate forum

The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is organizing a District Board Candidate Forum for Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Board Room.

The Forum is open to the public and is an opportunity for the community to attend and hear statements from each of the seven candidates running for a seat in November.

Each candidate will give an opening statement, answer questions posed by the audience and then provide a closing statement. The Forum is anticipated to last approximately two hours.

Nominations announced for the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

The Tahoe Chamber collected 190 nominations from the community for the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Award to celebrate the businesses, non-profits and individuals that make the South Shore of Lake Tahoe so unique. Local businesses have been a resilient backbone of the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and honoring their contributions, achievements and milestones is more important than ever before.

South Tahoe Public Utility District to celebrate 70th anniversary

Event Date: 
September 30, 2020 - 10:00am

South Tahoe Public Utility District was formed on September 28, 1950 and will mark their 70th anniversary with a virtual celebration Wednesday.

They will be recounting tales tales of how the community transitioned from pumping sewage into the lake to becoming the first wastewater treatment plant in the world to treat to tertiary levels. Over the years the District has acquired and upgraded small water systems to provide the delicious Tahoe Tap and fire flow capacity that South Lake Tahoe enjoys today.

70th Anniversary Conference Call
Wed, Sep 30, 2020 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

High blue-green algae toxins detected in Alpine County lakes

The levels of toxins associated with blooms of blue-green algae have reached above the "danger" level at Red Lake in Alpine Count, and at the "warning" level at Indian Creek Reservoir.

The Alpine County Health Department has been working with The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Red Lake), South Tahoe Public Utility District (Indian Creek Reservoir), and the Alpine Watershed Group (AWG) in determining these levels.

Chris Sneed: The man behind the 9-11 flag flying over US50

Those of us who were alive remember where they were and what they were doing when they saw or heard of the first planes fly into the towers in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Chris Sneed was working in Incline Village on a pipe replacement project for Granite Construction on Lakeshore Boulevard on 9-11-01. He needed a part and ran into Spitsen Lumber. He was in line and saw the store's 12" television showing a plane hit the first tower, and then the second tower.

COVID-19 Rate Relief Program offered by South Tahoe Public Utility District

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - – The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors adopted a temporary COVID-19 Rate Relief Program during their last meeting to assist residents and businesses that are facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. This new program offers a 50 percent credit to one quarterly sewer bill for customers in need.

“This pandemic has impacted some in our community more than others,” said STPUD Board Presdient Randy Vogelgesang. “We felt that we needed to do our part to help our customers who need it the most.”

Ten on ballot for two open seats on South Lake Tahoe City Council

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Candidate paperwork is filed and we now know have a better picture of who willl appear on the ballot November 3 South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County.

For many positions the deadline was Friday, August 7, but if an incumbent chose not to run, that date was moved to August 12.

This story originally listed 11 candidates for City Council but Kevin Brunner did not get the reqfile. valid signatures to file.

As of Wednesday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m., the following candidates turned in their paperwork:

South Lake Tahoe City Council (Two open seats)

November ballot filling up with locals vying for several open seats

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are several candidates who turned in their paperwork to run for office by the August 7 deadline, but with no incumbents running for South Lake Tahoe City Council, the deadline for that office is extended through August 12.

As of Friday at 5:00 p.m., the following candidates turned in their paperwork (there still may be some in transit):

South Lake Tahoe City Council (Two open seats)
Bruce Grego, Attorney/Advocate
Leonard Carter, Retired
Daniel P Browne, Jr., Retired Businessman
Cristi Creegan, Business Owner/Volunteer

With mural project canceled, Leadership Lake Tahoe gives back to the community

Leadership Lake Tahoe is a ten-month-long course held every two years on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. It began in 2003 with a mission to identify and develop current and future leaders through a comprehensive program designed to increase knowledge and awareness of the issues and challenges facing our community. At the beginning, the program was sponsored by the Tahoe Douglas Chamber and South Lake Tahoe Chamber, they merged a few years later and became the Tahoe Chamber (or Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce).

STPUD survey for South Lake Tahoe well owners

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District invites private well owners to take a 5-10 minute survey about their well, water usage, and any concerns they may have concerning their well. For participation in the survey the District is offering guidance on well maintenance, a free site check to help prevent contamination from entering the well, and free water testing to understand the well’s water quality.

Filing period opens July 13 for South Lake Tahoe elected positions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Election Day in 2020 is on November 3, just 134 days away. There will be several elected positions opening up in South Lake Tahoe and Meyers: South Tahoe Public Utility District, South Lake Tahoe City Council, Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees, Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees, and the Lake Valley Fire Board of Directors.

STPUD to waive water bill late fees once again

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the second time since the COVID-19 pandemic started,
the South Tahoe Public Utility District Board of Directors approved waiving late fees for water and sewer bills due at the end of June.

“We recognize that some in our community are financially struggling,” says Randy Vogelgesang, Board President. “Waiving late fees for bills due during COVID-19 provides customers some relief.”

Customers with questions or those facing hardships are encouraged to contact the District at (530) 544-6474 to find out about various services and payment options available.

Duane Wallace appointed to fill vacant seat on South Tahoe Public Utility District Board

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There were eight candidates vying to fill a vacant spot on the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) Board of Directors with interviews held during a special meeting Thursday, June 11.

The board selected Duane Wallace to complete the term of the late Jim Jones.

Wallace is no stranger to STPUD having previously served 20 years on the Board, from 1991-2007 and 2014-2018.

Nine candidates apply to fill STPUD board seat through 2020, special meeting Thursday

Event Date: 
June 11, 2020 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a special board meeting for the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) on Thursday, June 11 starting at 9:00 a.m. to discuss who will fill the remainder of Jim Jones's term.

Jones, a longtime member of the board, passed away on May 7.

Nine residents filled out an application and expressed a desire to be the temporary board member until December 2020. Jones's seat would have been up for election in November.

20th anniversary of Snapshot Day at Lake Tahoe

Friday evening brought thunderclaps and patchy showers to Lake Tahoe, adding to the flow of streams and rivers the following day as 40 participants collected water quality samples across Tahoe’s South Shore as part of Snapshot Day. This citizen science water quality monitoring event takes place every May and provides a moment-in-time look at the water quality and environmental health of the Tahoe-Truckee watershed.

Fatal accident at South Lake Tahoe construction site

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A subcontractor working at the site of a new Verizon cell tower near South Tahoe Public Utility District died Thursday after falling headfirst into a 35-foot by six-foot hole.

Drought conditions for Northern California and Northern Nevada

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This week's Drought Monitor shows much of the West in some level of drought. Lake Tahoe, the Sierra, and Western Nevada are all in a "moderate drought" stage with no end in the immediate future.

The 90-day outlook shows higher than average temperatures and lower than average precipitation, neither of which is good to break out of a drought.

Following below-average precipitation most of the winter, May storms delivered 181 percent of average in the Northern Sierra for this time of year, but the results aren't showing enough to remove the area from drought.

STPUD seeks new board member to fill remainder of Jim Jones' term

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District is accepting applications to appoint a Board Member to serve through December 4, 2020, the one left vacant with the passing of Jim Jones.

Interested applicants must be a registered voter within the District boundaries and can apply by submitting a letter of interest and resume to mguttry@stpud.us by Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

Tahoe Chamber announces list of 2020 list of 40 Under 40 honorees

The Tahoe Chamber has announced the 2020 list of 40 Under 40 honorees. The 40 Under 40 program highlights and honors the South Shore's brightest young community leaders and business professionals’ accomplishments, community involvement, and leadership.

Remembering STPUD Director Jim Jones

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On May 7, 2020, South Lake Tahoe lost a steadfast advocate for safe, clean drinking water and reliable wastewater services. James R. Jones, 77, a local engineer and avid sailor, served on South Tahoe Public Utility District’s Board of Directors for 39 years (1977-1989, 1993-2020). During his tenure on the Board, Director Jones focused on building for the future, instead of 'kicking the can down the road.’

STPUD: Time for a sprinkler tune-up

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It’s been a long winter for your yard. While your plants go dormant to cope with the colder weather, your sprinkler system can feel the effects of winter. Cracks in the pipes can lead to costly leaks, and damaged sprinkler heads can waste water and money.

Now is the perfect time to spruce up your irrigation system before you start watering. To get started, follow these four simple steps—inspect, connect, direct, and select:

Construction of new phases of South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail underway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work has begun on two phases of the 3.86-mile long South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail (Greenway) that will connect Sierra Boulevard in Tahoe Sierra Tract to the Van Sickle Bi-State Park near Stateline in South Lake Tahoe.

The project was approved in 2011 and 2016 and will provide users with a safe way to travel by non-motorized means off of the highway through the heart of South Lake Tahoe. The whole length will include neighborhood connectors and the ability to join the popular trail from the Y to past Baldwin Beach.

South Tahoe Public Utility District to waive late fees and suspend disconnections

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To assist customers during COVID-19, South Tahoe Public
Utility District’s Board of Directors just approved waiving late fees for bills due at the end of March and suspending service disconnections for non-payments.

“South Tahoe Public Utility District is your public utility, and we want to do all that we can to support you during these unique times,” says John Thiel, General Manager. “I want you to know that we have taken additional steps to make sure your water and wastewater services are safe and secure under any circumstance.”

Increased number of wipes in South Lake Tahoe sewer system causing issues

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is warning residents that while cleaning surfaces with disinfecting wipes to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is encouraged, discarding them and paper towels in the toilet is not.

Conservancy awards $912K in grants for projects around Lake Tahoe Basin

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At its last meeting, the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) authorized $912,000 for grants to advance climate change adaptation and improve community sustainability in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Conservancy Board approved three climate adaptation grants, all funded by Proposition 68:

More closures announced in South Lake Tahoe due to coronavirus concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a rapidly changing response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, with businesses, nonprofits, and agencies having to change procedures and policies often.

At this time, the following closures or change to business practices have been announced:

Tahoe Chamber 2020 Business Expo - Canceled

Event Date: 
May 29, 2020 - 4:30pm

The 2020 Expo has been canceled. They plan on returning in March 2021.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The annual Tahoe Chamber Business EXPO will be held on Friday, May 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Harrah's Tahoe. It was originally scheduled for March 27 but postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

South Tahoe Public Utility District: Christmas Valley water safe to drink

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, South Tahoe Public Utility District discovered food-grade oil in their Christmas Valley water tank during a routine inspection. Up to one gallon of food-grade oil leaked into the 200,000-gallon water tank due to a mechanical issue and the tank was immediately taken out of service. Results from the water samples collected from the top and
bottom of the water tank and two neighboring homes meet all drinking water standards.

There is no evidence that oil entered the water distribution system.

Community meeting on climate adaptation at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
February 26, 2020 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe community is invited to a public meeting about climate change adaptation hosted by the California Tahoe Conservancy, South Tahoe Public Utility District, Tahoe Transportation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and their partners on February 26 in Stateline, Nevada.

The meeting will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 128 Market St, Stateline, Nevada.

Facts about California's water legislation and what it means for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - No, you're not going be fined for taking a shower and doing laundry on the same day. A news story by a Los Angeles area television station and carried through the internet on New Year's Day wrongly stated just that as an effect of upcoming water efficiency laws.

Column: 2019 Highlights from South Tahoe Public Utility District

Every day we wash our dishes, fill our water glass, and flush the toilet, likely without thinking much about the systems required to make this all possible. I’d like to think we are doing our job so you don’t have to think too much about it.

Day 1 of SnowGlobe in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 9th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival begins its three-day run in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Thousands of festival-goers and electronic music fans are flocking to the area December 29-31 to enjoy not only the music on the Community Playfields but to also hit the slopes and partake in some of the official after parties for the 21+ crowd.

California Tahoe Conservancy board approves forest health, aquatic species and marsh restoration funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has authorized spending $1,036,750 to implement three high-priority projects to reduce fire risk and improve forest health in South Lake Tahoe and on the west shore.

During their meeting on Thursday, the CTC Board approved funding for projects that include:

- Spending up to $211,250 on forest thinning on Conservancy land in the South Lake Tahoe Ski Run and Bijou neighborhoods,

- A grant to the South Tahoe Public Utility District for up to $338,000 for forest thinning on the grounds of its treatment plant, and

Ceremony to celebrate completion of new SR 89 realignment and bridge project in Tahoe City

Event Date: 
December 16, 2019 - 10:00am

TAHOE CITY, Calif. – A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday, December 16 to celebrate the opening of the State Route 89 realignment, including the new Truckee River Bridge in Tahoe City.

Attendee parking will be located at the Tahoe City Transit Center along West Lake Blvd. The public should plan to arrive by 9:45 a.m. to park and walk to the ceremony location, which starts at 10:00 a.m. The bridge will be closed for the event.

New segment of State Route 89 in Tahoe City opens

TAHOE CITY, Calif. - What many have been waiting for is now open to traffic on the North Shore. The long-anticipated new quarter-mile segment of State Route 89 includes a new 153-foot bridge crossing over the Truckee River, a roundabout on the south end next to the Tahoe City Transit Center and another roundabout on the north end near the Caltrans Maintenance Station, allowing a second entry/exit route for Lake Tahoe’s West Shore.

The new Truckee River Bridge and realignment of SR89 are meant to ease congestion in the Tahoe City area.

STPUD informs Alpine County they are ending recycled water agreement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Effective the end of November, the South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is ending an agreement with Alpine County regarding its recycled water operations.

STPUD has paid Alpine County an annual mitigation fee to address potential impacts caused by recycled water for 35 years, a fee that is approximately $100,000 per year.

STPUD says there have not been adverse impacts from the recycled water operations and the agreement is no longer necessary.

Ameca and South Lake Tahoe connected by more than Sister City distinction

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A reception was held prior to Tuesday's City Council meeting, welcoming the contingent from the City of Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico prior to the signing of the official Sister City agreement between South Lake Tahoe and Ameca.

A large crowd was on hand to enjoy food, music and watch the exchanging of gifts between the cities.

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