In the face of recent elevated fire conditions fueled by the notorious Santa Ana winds, San Diego's Public Utilities team has shown resilience and resourcefulness in maintaining the city's water system. A report from the City of San Diego details that preventative measures and emergency responses were central to their strategy.
When notified about potential public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) by SDG&E, which threatened to disrupt critical water infrastructure, Public Utilities staff reacted swiftly. Implementing their contingency strategy, they ensured that backup generators were prepped and operational. Teams stood by, ready to quickly refuel these generators and to strictly monitor operations, keeping the water system running without significant hitches. "Thanks to their proactive planning, hard work, and expertise, the drinking water system experienced minimal operational impacts throughout the extensive fire watch," the City of San Diego reported.
Moreover, with the Border 2 fire threatening the South Bay area, crews from the City water pump station expedited the overhaul of two vital valves. These components facilitated an alternative conduit to distribute water as the flames drew near the Otay Water Treatment Plant and the Lower Otay Reservoir. Despite the dangerous proximity, the plant continued its operations throughout the fire emergency, backed by the dedication of the experienced Public Utilities staff and the vigorous firefighting efforts.
Prioritizing the integrity of essential water infrastructure during power shutoffs and wildfires, the Public Utilities staff play a crucial role in maintaining vital firefighting resources. One of their key concerns is ensuring that the city's 26,000 fire hydrants are fully functional. On average, "Public Utilities’ teams respond to 100 knocked-over hydrants annually, and work is typically completed within 24 hours," the City of San Diego stated. Additionally, they routinely perform preventative maintenance on approximately 7,000 fire hydrants annually. Stats from 2024 demonstrate the scope of this task, with 71 hydrants replaced and 357 leaking ones repaired.
