Building a home, adding a unit, opening a business, or changing the water or sewer service to a property? Start by calling the District office at (530) 258-2171. We can tell you what is available at the property, what forms you need, and what it will cost.

1. Check that service is available (will serve letter)

Plumas County, lenders, and title companies often ask for a “will serve” letter from the District. To request one, ask the office for a Will Serve Letter Request. You will need:

• Owner name and mailing address
• Service address and Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)
• Subdivision and lot number, if any
• The water meter size you need
• Whether the property will use the District sewer or a septic system

Before issuing a letter, the District checks its maps and records and may confirm the connection in the field. A will serve letter confirms that service is available; it is not a promise to build anything. Running the service lines from the District’s mains to the building is the owner’s responsibility and expense.

2. Apply for service

Only the property owner (or the owner’s authorized agent) can open service. Complete the Application for Service.

Water connections

• Who installs what. Only the District installs the service connection from its water main. The District installs the service to the property line and installs the meter, which the District owns (CPUD Code §§ 5-2.3.1, 5-2.3.2, 5-2.3.5).
• Your side of the meter. Everything past the meter is the owner’s to install and maintain. You must have your own shut-off valve on your side of the meter.
• Cost. Charges for a new service connection and meter are set by Board resolution and are based on the District’s cost. Call the office for an estimate.
• Changing meter size. A permanent change in meter size is made at the customer’s expense (§ 5-2.3.4). Meter size also sets your monthly meter charge on the Rates and Fees page.
• Backflow protection. Irrigation systems, fire sprinklers, boilers, and some businesses need a backflow prevention device. See Cross-Connection Control.

Sewer connections

• Connection is required. Buildings in the District’s sewer zone that are within 200 feet of the District sewer must connect to it (§ 6-2.1.1).
• Permit first. Before connecting a building sewer to a District lateral, apply in writing on a District Sewer Connection Permit application. A permit expires 120 days after it is issued and cannot be transferred (§§ 6-2.2.2, 6-2.2.5).
• Inspection. The District inspects the work. Notify the District at least 48 hours before cutting into a District lateral. No wastewater may be discharged until the District has inspected and approved the work (§ 6-2.2.4).
• Backwater valve. A check valve is required in the building sewer when the lowest floor with plumbing is less than one foot above the top of the nearest upstream manhole. The owner installs it at the owner’s cost (§ 6-2.2.3).
• Your sewer lateral. The owner is responsible for the sewer lateral all the way to the District’s main in the street. See Wastewater Services.
• No rainwater. Roof drains, sump pumps, and yard drains may never be connected to the sewer (§ 6-3.1.1).

Development impact fees

New homes and businesses pay development impact fees toward the water and sewer capacity they will use, under Ordinance No. 17. Homes pay per dwelling unit; commercial and industrial projects pay based on water meter size, with separate amounts for hotels, motels, and restaurants. Call the office for the current fee and when it is due.

The rules

The rules on this page come from the CPUD Code, 1994 Edition (Title 5, Water, and Title 6, Wastewater) and the District’s adopted ordinances and resolutions, all on the Policies, Resolutions & Ordinances page. The District is updating its Code; if anything here conflicts with an adopted rule, the adopted rule controls.

Questions? Call (530) 258-2171, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.), or stop by the office at 251 Chester Airport Rd.