City of San Diego Public Utilities personnel make repairs on a fire hydrant. Photo: City of San DiegoCity of San Diego Working to Ensure Water System Readiness For Fire Emergencies
With the threat of heightened wildfire risk ever present in the San Diego region, the City of San Diego’s Public Utilities staff employs multiple strategies, including preventative maintenance and rapid response efforts, to ensure the continued reliability of the City’s water system in an emergency.
In the event of public safety power shutoffs impacting water infrastructure, Public Utilities staff execute the City’s emergency response plan, ensuring backup generators are available and fully operational. Crews remain on duty to refuel generators as needed and monitor operations to keep the system running smoothly.
City of San Diego Public Utilities crews inspect and maintain the city’s water infrastructure so it will function properly even in an emergency. Photo: City of San Diego
Thanks to proactive planning, hard work, and expertise, customers experience the minimum possible impact on their water delivery during any wildfire watches or responses.
“Repairing and maintaining the City of San Diego’s water infrastructure is a top priority,” said Juan Guerreiro, Director of the City’s Public Utilities Department.
“With wildfires being a potential danger in our region, it is imperative that we have a reliable water system to help protect us. I’m very proud of the hard work of our Public Utilities staff, who are essential to keep the water flowing.”
Preparing Water Infrastructure For Wildfire Emergencies
Preventative maintenance on key water system infrastructure is part of the City of San Diego’s wildfire preparedness. Photo: City of San Diego
Public Utilities staff prioritize safeguarding vital water infrastructure during power shutoffs and wildfires while also maintaining firefighting resources citywide. One key priority is ensuring the city’s 26,000 fire hydrants are in proper working order.
Public Utilities’ teams respond to an average of 100 knocked-over hydrants each year. Repair work is typically completed within 24 hours.
In addition, crews perform preventative maintenance on approximately 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.
Border 2 Wildfire Tests City of San Diego Response
City water pump station crews overhauled two critical valves that support water supply storage in the South Bay. Photo: City of San Diego
During the recent Border 2 wildfire in late January 2025, City of San Diego Public Utilities crews prepared infrastructure in the South Bay to prepare for any potential impacts.
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.
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 by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CalFIRE). Crews ensured a secondary water supply was ready if needed to maintain uninterrupted water service to customers.
