South Tahoe PUD pivots to vertical turbine pumps for future groundwater wells

South Tahoe PUD pivots to vertical turbine pumps for future groundwater wellsThe California utility is moving away from submersible downhole equipment at its new well sites to prioritize operational reliability, utilizing extensive soundproofing to overcome traditional noise concerns.

The STPUD Board of Directors awarded a $229,500 contract to White Rock Construction, Inc. to install a new vertical turbine pump at the South Upper Truckee Well.

The project replaces existing submersible downhole equipment to increase reliability and minimize operational downtime.

While vertical turbines have historically been avoided on the district's smaller lots due to noise concerns, existing soundproofing infrastructure is being leveraged to mitigate the impact.

Water Resources Manager Mark Seelos confirmed the utility will increasingly target vertical turbine technology for future well sites due to the equipment's extended lifespan and easier maintenance.

The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) is shifting its groundwater extraction strategy, signaling a preference for vertical turbine pumps over traditional submersible equipment at its future well sites to boost reliability and ease of maintenance. The strategic pivot was highlighted during the district's April 16, 2026, board meeting, where directors unanimously approved a $229,500 contract with White Rock Construction, Inc. for the South Upper Truckee Pump Replacement Project. The contract covers the procurement and installation of a new vertical turbine pump and motor, a pre-lube system, and associated instrumentation wiring. Water Resources Manager Mark Seelos explained that the project replaces the site's existing submersible downhole equipment. The technological swap is designed to increase the well's overall reliability and minimize operational downtimes. Historically, STPUD has avoided vertical turbine pumps—currently utilizing the technology at only one other site—due to the noise profile of the surface-mounted motors. "We try to avoid them in general in our smaller lots because of potential noise issues," Seelos told the board. However, at the South Upper Truckee Well, the district is leveraging an extensive soundproofing system originally installed for a blower system, which Seelos noted will be more than adequate to muffle the new turbine motor. The trade-off for managing the noise profile is significant operational benefits. "Vertical turbines typically last a lot longer, even in a non-corrosive setting, and they are a lot easier to work on," Seelos said. When questioned by the board on whether the district would be looking at vertical turbines more frequently in the future, Seelos confirmed the shift in engineering preference: "We are definitely going to be looking at those for our new well sites." The South Upper Truckee Well contract drew two bids, with White Rock Construction coming in slightly below the engineer's estimate of $235,000. A competing bid from SR Diversified, LLC for $346,000 was rejected as non-responsive due to a failure to meet material bid requirements, including exceeding the allowable subcontracting limit. White Rock Construction's bid included minor contractual irregularities that the board voted to waive as immaterial. Funding for the construction contract is drawn from the district's Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which has $208,518 available in the project account, with an additional $50,000 programmed for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to cover the remaining costs.