Georgetown Divide PUD Awarded $8.8 Million USDA Grant by Georgetown Divide Public Utility District Aug 22, 2025 Member Submitted News GEORGETOWN – The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District (GDPUD) has been awarded an $8,837,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Communities program to fund a critical resiliency project. The CY22 Disaster Grant Public Utility District Canal Piping Resiliency Project will allow GDPUD to recover from the devastating impacts of the 2022 Mosquito Fire and subsequent severe winter storms. These disasters caused extensive burn scars, debris flows, and canal damage, threatening the reliability of local water supplies. With this funding, GDPUD will be able to convert approximately 1.5 miles of open canal ditches to pipelines across its service area, creating long-term resiliency by protecting water conveyance from erosion, landslides, and future fire impacts. “This funding is a major victory for our community,” said Nicholas Schneider, General Manager of GDPUD. “By piping critical canals, we are not only repairing disaster-related damage but also building a stronger, more reliable water system for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to USDA for recognizing the importance of investing in rural water infrastructure.” This funding comes on the heels of a collaborative effort of the Association of California Water Agencies and its member agencies, who released a new education campaign titled F.I.R.E Fix. This strategic program will help to identify and correct fire vulnerabilities throughout California. You can watch the F.I.R.E. Fix videos on YouTube. “This grant will be a game-changer for our community,” said Donna Seaman, President of the Georgetown Divide PUD Board of Directors. “The Mosquito Fire and severe storms showed us just how vulnerable our water system can be to natural disasters. With this funding, we can transform those vulnerabilities into strengths by hardening our canals and securing reliable water delivery for the future. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank USDA Rural Development for their partnership and commitment to rural communities like ours.” The Georgetown Divide PUD provides water service to residents in Georgetown, Garden Valley, and surrounding areas of El Dorado County. This project reflects the District’s ongoing mission to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable water supplies for its customers.
