Release Date: June 16, 2026
Rendering of the Ophir Water Treatment Plant site
AUBURN, Calif., June 16, 2026 – Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) has selected Carollo Engineers to provide construction management and SCADA programming services for the new Ophir Water Treatment Plant (WTP), a major infrastructure investment designed to meet growing regional demand and enhance system reliability. The project represents a long-planned expansion of treated water capacity as PCWA’s current facilities approach peak operational capacity during high-demand summer periods.
PCWA is the largest water service provider in Placer County, delivering treated water to approximately 192,000 people and supplying wholesale water to neighboring agencies.
The Ophir WTP will initially add 10 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated water capacity, enough to serve 10,000 families, as the first phase of a multi-stage program allowing PCWA to scale the facility over time. Situated on a 22‑acre site along Ophir Road in Auburn, California, the project will provide a critical new supply source while supporting long-term planning for communities across western Placer County. The Ophir site is master-planned to ultimately support up to 30 MGD of treatment capacity, offering a scalable and resilient solution to meet long‑term regional water needs.
The total estimated construction cost of the Ophir WTP Phase 1 is approximately $210 million.
“This is a long-term investment that’s been planned for decades,” said PCWA General Manager Andy Fecko. “The project is structured so growth pays for growth, with water connection charges funding the capacity needed for new customers. An added benefit is that it also improves reliability and resilience for the customers we already serve.”
The new facility will relieve capacity constraints at PCWA’s Foothill Water Treatment Plant, the agency’s largest facility, which currently operates near its limits during high‑demand summer months. Once operational, the Ophir WTP will enhance system flexibility and provide critical redundancy across the regional water network. The facility will also allow PCWA to extend its annual construction and maintenance window by roughly two months, enabling essential upgrades and rehabilitation work at the Foothill Water Treatment Plant during lower‑demand periods.
Carollo will manage schedule and cost tracking, inspection, documentation, and project coordination during the plant’s initial phase, with work completed in line with project specifications, safety standards, and quality requirements. In addition to construction management services, Carollo will perform SCADA programming for the project.
“We are honored to support PCWA in delivering this transformational project,” said Carollo Principal-in-Charge Keith Corcoran. “The Ophir Water Treatment Plant will deliver a resilient, reliable water supply for the community while reinforcing the region’s critical water infrastructure for generations to come.”
Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026, with the facility expected to be operational by 2030. For project updates and additional information, visit www.pcwa.net.
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Media Contact:
Cameron McWilliam
Senior Public Relations Manager // Carollo
[email protected]
