Grizzly Flats CSD Water Treatment Improvements + Reservoir Analysis

The community of Grizzly Flats was deeply traumatized by the Caldor Fire that ravaged El Dorado County in 2021. The fire destroyed over 200,000 acres, leaving most residents homeless. In addition to the loss of property and structures, critical infrastructure was also destroyed or damaged. With funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, the Grizzly Flats Community Services District (GFCSD) began the process of rebuilding their water infrastructure in 2023.

Working closely with K+W’s Water Resources Group, the initial phase of improving access to the community’s drinking water included a new water storage tank and the associated infrastructure, as well as the preliminary design for a replacement water treatment plant. The water treatment plant provides 623 service connections with an estimated flow rate of 200 gallons per minute. K+W’s Water Resources Group also collaborated with the GFCSD and manufacturers to secure reduced costs for the primary treatment modules, enabling the GFCSD to proceed with plans to construct a new water treatment plant.

In addition to the water treatment improvements, K+W’s Water Resources Group was contracted to provide an evaluation and analysis of the reservoir, which supplies 31 acre-feet of drinking water to the Grizzly Flats community. Due to the fires, the concern was that a significant amount of silt and contamination had accumulated on the bottom of the reservoir. To quickly identify the extent and nature of the contamination, K+W’s water resources team surveyed the reservoir and gathered samples within a single day. The samples were then promptly sent for evaluation. The survey and analysis was provided to the contractor overseeing the final cleanup and restoration.

Initial on-site evaluation and sample gathering for the reservoir analysis was completed in early May of 2024, with the final fast-tracked report completed by May 15, 2024.

This effort to rebuild and restore is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Grizzly Flats community. Through the collaborative efforts of the GFCSD and K+W’s Water Resources Group, they are not only restoring essential services but also inspiring hope and renewal in the face of devastation.