SCV Water's Commitment to Emergency Preparedness

SCV Water uses a range of strategies to prepare for emergencies, protect the community and ensure a safe, reliable supply. Here is an overview of our emergency preparedness efforts: 

Infrastructure Maintenance

• Fire Hydrants. We maintain thousands of fire hydrants, throughout the service area. They are strategically placed in accordance with and approval from the Los Angeles COunty Fire Department (LACoFD). SCV Water and LACoFD work collaboratively to ensure readiness and an adequate supply for quick emergency responses.
• Infrastructure. A major part of our emergency preparedness includes our ongoing commitment to maintaining critical infrastructure such as our treatment plants, wells, tanks, pipelines and booster stations, so it can be reliable in an emergency. 

Water Supplies and Storage

• Available water supplies. SCV Water manages a diverse water supply portfolio, which is delivered to our distribution system through pump stations. Some stations require pumps to supply water to higher elevation grades while other locations use gravity to move the water.  
• Storage Facilities. SCV Water operates over 100 storage facilities with over 170 million gallons of water in its distribution system. During high wind, Public Safety Power Shutoff and fire events, these facilities are consistently maintained near full capacity to ensure optimal water pressure and to maximize energy efficiency. 

Generator Power

Backup Generators. During unplanned power outages or scheduled Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), SCV Water uses backup generators to maintain reliable power to our distribution system, water tanks and related equipment. Generators are continuously monitored, maintained, and relocated to other sites as necessary throughout the event. 

Critical Infrastructure Landscaping

Fire-Hardened Landscaping. SCV Water maintains a safe perimeter to create a defensible space to help protect structures, lives and property, known as a fuel modification zone, at our critical infrastructure including water treatment plants and storage tanks. Landscaping strategies near these facilities include rigorous brush control and weed abatement. 

People & Partnerships

• Emergency Drills. SCV Water regularly conducts emergency response training and exercise drills to ensure all staff members are well-prepared and understand their roles during a crisis. These drills simulate various emergency scenarios, such as natural disasters or on-site hazards, to test response plans and identify areas for improvement. 
• Department Operations Center and Incident Management Team. Similar to an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), SCV Water has developed a Department Operations Center (DOC) which can be activated during an emergency. SCV Water staff occupy key positions in the DOC and have received specialized emergency response training and instruction under FEMA’s Incident Command System training program.
• Local Partnerships. SCV Water also partners with other local first responder agencies in the Santa Clarita Valley, including the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Santa Clarita, the County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management, and utilities such as Southern California Edison and SoCalGas.
• Statewide Partnerships. SCV Water is a member of CalWARN (California Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network), which is California’s mutual aid/assistance network in the water sector. This entity can assist in quicker assessment and access to necessary resources in the face of all hazards. Coordination is established with the emergency management systems. CalWARN.org