Tuolumne County is taking bold steps to secure its water future by seeking $6.3 million in state funding for a brand-new Sierra Pines Raw Water Reservoir. This initiative comes on the heels of a recent crisis, where storm damage to an outdated flume, built in the 1800s, left the county scrambling for water access. With over 250 trees tumbling onto the flume during winter storms, it’s clear that this antique infrastructure is anything but reliable.
As it stands, 95% of the county’s drinking water comes through that flume, which has proven vulnerable time and again. County officials highlight the pressing need for a modern reservoir to ensure that the community has a steady water supply, especially during emergencies. Jaron Brandon, Tuolumne County supervisor for District 5, emphasizes that without a robust backup water source, they can’t effectively tackle the challenges they’ve inherited.
Though the county did receive some state funding to cover initial costs, additional support is critical to get this reservoir project off the ground. The goal is straightforward: making sure that residents have reliable drinking water while also providing adequate fire flow during emergencies. Maybe this time, they’ll move from water rationing to a “water plentiful” party—you can never have too much H2O!
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
