Critical Preparation Ensures Water System Reliability Amid Fire Emergencies
In recent weeks, the City of San Diego’s Public Utilities staff remained on high alert as Santa Ana winds and elevated fire conditions heightened risks across the region. Through strategic planning, preventative maintenance, and rapid response efforts, the department ensured the continued reliability of the City's water system.
When Public Utilities staff received notifications from SDG&E about public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) impacting vital water infrastructure, they took immediate action. With a well-defined plan in place, they ensured backup generators were available and fully operational. Crews remained on standby, refueling generators and closely monitoring operations to keep the system running smoothly. Thanks to their proactive planning, hard work, and expertise, the drinking water system experienced minimal operational impacts throughout the extensive fire watch.
In addition to the public safety power shutoffs throughout the county, Public Utilities crews readied infrastructure in the South Bay to prepare for potential impacts from the Border 2 fire. City water pump station crews overhauled two critical valves that support water supply storage in the South Bay. The valves allowed for an alternate connection to distribute water to customers as the Border 2 fire approached the Otay Water Treatment Plant and the Lower Otay Reservoir. Ultimately, Otay Water Treatment Plant operations were able to continue through the duration of the fire, thanks to the experienced staff and the robust firefighting efforts. However, crews ensured this secondary water supply was ready if needed, to maintain uninterrupted water service to customers.
Public Utilities staff prioritize safeguarding vital water infrastructure during power shutoffs and wildfires while also maintaining firefighting resources citywide. A key priority is ensuring the 26,000 fire hydrants are in proper working order. On average, Public Utilities’ teams respond to 100 knocked-over hydrants annually, and work is typically completed within 24 hours. In addition, crews perform preventative maintenance on about 7,000 fire hydrants annually. In 2024, crews replaced 71 hydrants and repaired an additional 357 hydrants that were identified as leaking.
These collective efforts are essential to ensuring a reliable potable water system for local firefighters to perform their challenging tasks and to help keep our City safe at all times.