Plumbing Resources
Utilities · Permits · Seasonal Guides · Emergency Contacts

Truckee-Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD)

Primary utility — Truckee. truckeedonnerutility.org · (530) 587-3896. Provides water and electric services to most of Truckee (96161). Governs the main meter box, shutoff procedures, and water quality reporting. Their Annual Water Quality Report documents TDS and mineral content — currently approximately 118 mg/L. Call for meter shutoffs, leak reports, and new service connections.

Squaw Valley Public Service District (SVPSD)

Olympic Valley utility. svpsd.org · (530) 583-4692. Manages water and sewer services for Olympic Valley (Palisades Tahoe area). If your property is in Olympic Valley, SVPSD — not TDPUD — is your water utility. Contact them for service line issues, shutoff requests, and billing.

North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD)

North Shore utility. ntpud.org · (530) 546-4212. Serves Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, and surrounding North Shore communities. If your property is on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, this is your water and sewer utility.

Northstar Community Services District (NCSD)

Northstar utility. (530) 562-0747. Provides water, sewer collection, and road maintenance for the Northstar California resort community. Contact for Northstar water shutoffs and sewer service issues.

SoCalGas / Southwest Gas — Truckee

Gas utility — emergency line. swgas.com · 1-877-860-6020. Natural gas supply for Truckee residential properties. Call for gas leak reporting (also call 911 and leave the property), new service applications, and gas line questions. If you smell gas near your water heater or any gas appliance — leave immediately, then call.

August–September — Pre-Season Inspection Window

The best time to catch problems before they become emergencies. Schedule a plumbing inspection before ski season opens and before October’s first freeze. What we check: heat tape condition on all exposed pipe runs, water heater age and sediment assessment, supply line pressure test, all visible shut-off valve operation, hose bib and irrigation drain-down. This inspection ($175–$250 for most homes) prevents the majority of winter plumbing emergencies we see.

October 1–25 — Winterization Window

Target: complete all Truckee vacation property winterizations before October 25. The first hard freeze at 6,000 ft (and higher in Tahoe Donner and Northstar) typically occurs between October 10–25. Our October calendar fills in the first three weeks — book before September 30 to guarantee your slot. Properties at 7,000+ ft (upper Tahoe Donner, Northstar) should aim for October 1–15.

November–March — Winter Emergency Readiness

Post these in your vacation property or share with your property manager: Main water shutoff location (exact). TDPUD street meter location (gray box at curb). Our 24/7 emergency number: (530) 291-4380. Your property manager’s contact. Nearest neighbour’s contact (for properties without active management). A frozen or burst pipe has a much better outcome when the person who finds it knows exactly what to do in the first 5 minutes.

April–May — De-Winterization Window

As Sierra snowmelt stabilises (typically late April to mid-May), vacation properties reopen for the summer season. De-winterization is not just “turn the water back on.” We restore supply slowly to check for pressure, inspect for freeze damage that occurred during the vacancy period, flush antifreeze from all traps, and test the water heater before you arrive for the first summer visit. Book your spring opening at the same time as fall winterization — we lock in both dates.

June–August — Summer Maintenance Window

The best window for larger planned work: repiping, water heater replacement, drain camera inspection, water treatment installation. Properties are accessible, roads are clear, there’s no freeze risk, and our schedule has more flexibility than in October or January. If you’ve been deferring a major plumbing project, summer is the time.

Truckee Plumber — 24/7 plumbing emergency

(530) 291-4380. Burst pipes, frozen pipes, no hot water, sewage backup, gas-line adjacent issues. Based in Truckee. Under 45 min response most addresses.

Truckee Police Department (non-emergency)

(530) 550-2323. Non-emergency line. For plumbing-related property damage that may involve a crime (e.g., suspected vandalism to shutoffs).

Nevada County Sheriff (non-emergency)

(530) 265-1407. For unincorporated Nevada County areas outside incorporated Truckee.

SoCalGas / Southwest Gas emergency (gas leak)

1-800-427-2200 · 911. If you smell gas: leave the property immediately, do not use any electrical switches, call 911 and the gas company from outside the building.

Truckee Fire Protection District

(530) 582-7830. Non-emergency. For fire-adjacent plumbing issues (gas appliances, HVAC interactions). Emergency: 911.

Tahoe Forest Hospital Emergency

(530) 587-6011 · Emergency: 911. Truckee’s regional hospital on Pine Avenue. Relevant if anyone is injured in a plumbing-related incident (flooding, hot water burns).

Before leaving your Truckee cabin for winter (Oct–Nov)

• Confirm winterization is scheduled OR set thermostat to 55°F minimum
• Know your main water shutoff location and confirm it closes fully
• Know your TDPUD street meter box location
• Leave plumber’s emergency number posted inside: (530) 291-4380
• Leave property manager contact posted inside
• Confirm heat tape is functioning on crawl space and exterior pipe runs
• Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from exterior hose bibs
• Turn off and drain irrigation system if not professionally winterized
• Set water heater to vacation/pilot mode if cabin will be vacant long-term

Spring opening checklist — de-winterizing your Truckee property

• Restore main water supply slowly — open valve partially first and check for pressure
• Walk all accessible pipe runs looking for moisture, staining, or new cracks
• Check under all sinks for evidence of winter leaks
• Check crawl space access for signs of moisture or standing water
• Run all faucets and check for full, clear flow
• Flush all toilets and verify proper fill and seal operation
• Check water heater pilot or power and confirm recovery time is normal
• Run dishwasher and washing machine on first cycle to check connections
• Compare TDPUD meter reading with your winter departure reading — if significant consumption, call us

What your property manager needs to know

• Main water shutoff location in the home
• TDPUD street meter box location (gray box at curb, need meter key or use shutoff at home)
• Plumbing emergency number: (530) 291-4380 — 24/7
• Any existing plumbing issues or watch items from last season
• Water heater location and approximate age
• Whether heat tape is installed and when it was last inspected