It has been more than 30 years since Douglas County took over the Cave Rock Water System.
One of three private systems serving Douglas residents at Lake Tahoe, Cave Rock was purchased by the Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District to protect its water rights.
On Thursday, Douglas County commissioners approved selling $16.5 million in bonds financed by a loan from the state to complete $18 million in improvements to the Cave Rock system.
The water system serves 332 Cave Rock and 251 Skyland residential customers. Residents pay an average of $136.29 a month, with $20 a month going to capital improvements.
The $20 surcharge is the source for $1 million of the cost of the project. A $500,000 U.S. Forest Service grant makes up the difference.