The new Amador Transmission Pipeline is completed and is carrying the water that most of Amador County drinks -- from Lake Tabeaud to the Amador Water Agency treatment plant on Ridge Road. But the historic Amador Canal that the pipeline is replacing still has water flowing through it – mostly. The 9 mile pipeline replaces an old canal system built in the 1860’s that supplied water from the Mokelumne River to the Sutter Creek, Jackson and Ione areas. The “ditch” served Amador County for over a century but pressures to conserve water and maintain water quality prompted the replacement pipeline. The earthen canal leaks about 40% to 50% of the water that is put into the ditch. The water in the canal is subject to surface water contamination along the 23 mile route. The canal has also reached its capacity to transport water and is subject to “blow outs” – this landslide recently wiped out an entire section of the canal and interrupted water service to customers.

The Amador Water Agency has joined in new technology, which has opened a new world of possibilities in allowing them to offer better customer service and employee efficiency.  Continuing in its efforts to seek innovative ways to save time and money and perform functions more efficiently, the Amador Water Agency is beginning an Automated Meter Reader program.