06/28/2026
PINE GROVE COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT TO TRANSITION WATER SERVICE TO AWA
The Amador Water Agency (AWA) announces that the Pine Grove Community Services District (PGCSD) will transition its water service operations to AWA on July 1, 2026.
This change comes after careful evaluation by the PGCSD Board of Directors, whicH determined that continuing as an independent district is no longer financially feasible due to rising operational costs and significant longterm infrastructure needs. The request by PGCSD to transfer operations to the Amador Water Agency was approved by AWA Directors at their June 25 Board meeting.
PGCSD was founded in 1965 and currently serves about 400 residential and
commercial customers in the unincorporated Pine Grove area with treated water purchased from AWA through the Central Amador Water Project. PGCSD directors have determined that by July, 2026, the District’s rates would exceed AWA’s rates if it remained independent. Consolidation with AWA will prevent these rate increases and ensure longterm system sustainability.
The transfer is pending final approval by the Local Agency Formation Commission
(LAFCO) at its July meeting. An interim agreement is in place for AWA to operate the system during the gap between July 1, 2026, and LAFCO approval.
SYSTEM CONDITION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
AWA operations and engineering staff have completed a full inspection of the Pine
Grove water system and found it to be in good working condition with no major infrastructure deficiencies. The system is comparable to other AWAmanaged systems in age and reliability.
As part of the transition, AWA will assume ownership and operation of all Pine Grove water pipelines, tanks, meters, fire hydrants, equipment, and real estate with one exception. Pine Grove Park will not transfer to AWA; instead, it will revert to Amador County ownership.
The District will also transfer approximately $300,000 in reserve funds to AWA. These funds will be used exclusively for improvements to the Pine Grove water system until fully expended.
BENEFITS TO PINE GROVE CUSTOMERS
AWA has the staffing, equipment, and financial capacity to manage longterm
infrastructure needs more efficiently than small independent districts. AWA has a strong track record of securing grants and longterm lowinterest financing, which reduces the financial burden on ratepayers. After the transition, Pine Grove customers will pay the same rates as all other AWA retail customers.
“AWA is confident that Pine Grove customers will receive excellent service and
longterm system stability under the Agency’s management,” said AWA Interim General Manager Jim Abercrombie.
BILLING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE TRANSITION
AWA will begin direct billing for Pine Grove customers on July 15, 2026, with monthly billing thereafter. There will be no account setup fees for transferring Pine Grove customers.
AWA is committed to providing reliable, highquality service and ensuring a smooth
transition for all Pine Grove residents and businesses.
PINE GROVE PARK
Effective July 15, Pine Grove Park will return to Amador County management. Park reservations for dates after July 15 may be made through Amador County Parks and Recreation.
Questions may be directed to PGCSD office through July 15 at 209-296-7188; or to AWA Customer Service at 209-223-3018.
