Public Safety Power Shut Off Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

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Flammable hazard placard on tank

Preparing For Public Safety Power Shutoffs During High Fire Fisk Periods

We are currently experiencing the second dry year in a row in California and are approaching wildfire season (approximately June through November). As a safety precaution, PG&E may turn off electricity in designated areas when extreme fire danger conditions are forecasted — such as Red Flag Warnings, low humidity, high winds, and dry conditions. The specific areas and number of affected customers will depend on weather conditions and which circuits PG&E turns off for public safety. These precautions are called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

What does this mean for your water service?

The Zone 7 Water Agency has an action plan should we lose power.  We anticipate being able to meet all water demands from the water retailers.  The Zone 7 Water Agency provides wholesale water service to the retailers and the retailers provide the water to your home and business.  For more specific information about your situation, please contact your local water retailer.

What is Zone 7 doing to prepare?

  • We are working with PG&E to ensure we receive as much advance notice as possible so we can prepare and initiate our response.

  • Zone 7 maintains standby generators at both water treatment plants that provide full power to these facilities. Portable generators have been stationed at designated critical facilities to keep these pumping plants running, and arrangements have been made to keep all generators fueled during these power outages. Staff will deploy additional portable generators and pumps as needed.

  • We are managing vegetation around our facilities and in our flood channels to reduce fire risk.

  • Zone 7 is working with California Office of Emergency Services, Alameda County Emergency Managers, Dublin San Ramon Services District, City of Livermore, City of Pleasanton and California Water Services to ensure that in the case of a PSPS event the community is prepared.

What can you do?

Before a PSPS event:

  1. Make sure your contact information is updated with your water retailer and your local energy company.

  2. Subscribe to Alameda County’s Emergency Alert System “AC Alert” at https://www.acgov.org/emergencysite/.

  3. Prepare an emergency kit. Make sure to store a minimum of two gallons of water per person per day, enough to last three to seven days, and don’t forget your pets. The more water you can store, the better. For more information on how to safely store water you can visit the CDC’s website.

  4. Identify your unique/critical water needs and plan ahead.

  5. Clear property of excess, dead and highly flammable vegetation. Trim grass and vegetation at least 30 feet around your home. Visit Cal Fire’s website to learn more about maintaining defensible space around your home.

  6. If you have a backup generator, test it and ensure it’s ready to operate safely.

If you are affected by a PSPS event:

  1. Minimize water use during an event to leave as much water in the reservoirs as possible for firefighting.

  2. Shut off irrigation.

  3. Reduce indoor water use.

  4. Stay tuned; there will be ongoing updates available through social media, news media and on Zone 7’s website.

After a PSPS event:

  1. Restock your water supplies.

  2. Prepare for the next PSPS event.

  3. Reset your irrigation controller while resetting other electronics to prevent overwatering.

  4. Check regularly for updates from your water retailer, Zone 7 and PG&E.

Thank you for your cooperation to help ensure we maintain critical water supplies.

 

Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)

Draft HMP Available for Review

Zone 7 Water Agency has updated its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) as mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A current HMP allows the Agency to reduce the costs associated with disaster response and recovery by implementing hazard mitigation strategies.

A final draft of the HMP is now available for review:

Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)

 

Additional Resources

For more information on how you can prepare you and your family for a natural disaster, visit: