Cal Water has spent countless hours making a list and checking its water system twice so that in the event of the next power outage or Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), its local customers can count on one thing-water.
"The average person does not think about the fact that we need power to provide water," said Kellen Boyce, Operations Manager of Cal Water's Kern River Valley District, which provides safe, clean, reliable water utility services to about 5,200 people through 4,200 service connections in the valley. "We go to great lengths to create redundancy in our system including backup power, so that in the event of a power outage or shutoff, we're prepared and can help better provide water to our customers."
Installing generators at key facilities and positioning portable, backup generators is just one of the many ways that Cal Water proactively prioritizes emergency preparedness to help maintain reliable service during natural disasters or challenges such as power outages or shutoffs. With shutoffs expected to continue over the summer in Lake Isabella, Cal Water has spent tens of thousands of dollars and many hours filling 23 generators with diesel to keep water flowing to the homes of its Lake Isabella customers.
Also, during these power shutoffs, Cal Water has asked its customers to conserve water any time there is one in effect. When power has been shut off, Cal Water asks customers in the area to turn off or limit irrigation and use only as much water as absolutely needed indoors for health and safety purposes. Customers' conservation efforts will help maintain sufficient resources for fire protection and still meet necessary customer needs and help prevent potential interruptions in water service, Boyce said.
“We're working all day and night so we can keep water flowing for our customers, our neighbors, and even our own families,” Boyce said.
Other ways that Cal Water takes action to help keep water service reliable and support firefighting efforts include:
- Collaborative planning and training through annual Emergency Operations Center exercises.
- Proactively upgrading infrastructure-water mains, pump stations, hydrants, storage tanks, etc.
- Finding ways to get water from its facilities to where it's needed.
- Managing vegetation around its facilities for fire prevention.
- Specialized training for employees who can quickly support water system needs during local emergencies.
- Providing annual firefighter grants that support the purchase of life-saving equipment and training for first responders.
- Inspecting and maintaining hydrants regularly.
- Securing mutual support agreements with neighboring utilities and cities to coordinate support during emergencies.
