The Sierra Lakes County Water District is a California Special District operating under California Water Code Sections 30000-33901. The District provides water and sanitary sewer services to the residents of the Serene Lakes community on Donner Summit. The District service area is 2,450 acres and of the 1,038 single-family lots, 815 are developed. The land surrounding the homes is owned by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sugar Bowl and the Forest Service.
The District is governed by a five member elected Board of Directors and staffed by a part-time General Manager and Financial Consultant/Board Secretary and three full-time and one seasonal utility operators.
The primary source of the community's drinking water is Lake Serena with a backup well source. Sewage is collected and pumped to the Donner Summit Wastewater Treatment Plant for processing before it is discharged to the South Fork of the Yuba River or used for irrigation and snowmaking at the Soda Springs Resort.
The District owns the land under and surrounding Lakes Serena and Dulzura along with 19 other parcels within the District service area and has established rules for the use of the property.