While emergencies can impact water utility operations, Golden State Water Company (GSWC) prepares itself to respond to these emergencies and to protect the lives and well-being of customers, employees, and contractors. GSWC has a comprehensive Emergency Management program that includes preparedness and response plans, training, exercises, risk assessments, and implementation of industry best practices. As a water provider that relies on electric power to operate our water systems, GSWC is investing millions to install backup power generators at strategic locations throughout the state to help safeguard against water service interruptions due to unplanned outages of the electric grid. Our team is committed to reducing the impact of unforeseen emergencies, and we encourage you to do the same. The key is to be prepared for any situation. Emergency Preparedness is vital to keeping your household as safe as possible during unexpected situations. Explore the tips below to learn the steps you can take now to enhance your safety and readiness for whatever may come your way.
Regardless of the emergency, if the power goes out, water purification systems may fail, water may not be available or it can become contaminated. In the unlikely event that this occurs, you will receive specific recommendations from Golden State Water for boiling or treating water in your area.
GSWC’s customer service representatives are standing by to assist you with any questions. For 24-hour emergency and customer service, please call: 1-800-808-2837.
Explore the tips below to learn the steps you can take now to enhance your safety and readiness for whatever may come your way.
EMERGENCY ALERTS
Stay prepared for any emergency by ensuring your contact information is up to date and signing up for GSWC alerts to receive real-time updates when it matters most. Enroll in GSWC’s emergency notifications below:
It is equally important to stay informed through your local city and emergency officials, which is crucial for receiving essential updates on emergencies that may not be related to water quality. To get important alerts specific to your county, visit www.calalerts.org/signup.html.
In the event of an emergency, monitor our website and our X and Facebook accounts to learn more about the status of your local water system.
EMERGENCY PLANNING
Ensure you’re prepared for any emergency by following our communications channels. Sign up for email and text alerts and monitor our website, X and Facebook accounts for the latest updates. Also, turn on your radio, listen to emergency channels for directions and follow them, 911 circuits may be jammed – prepare a list of direct phone numbers for police, fire, hospitals and utilities.
For a comprehensive guide on disaster preparedness, including how to build an emergency kit, create a family plan, and stay informed during crises, visit: www.ready.gov/.
- SAFE LOCATION: Have a plan based on where you might be when an emergency occurs. Determine where you will go if you’re at home, school, work, in a car, or any other frequently traveled location.
- COMMUNICATION PLAN: Designate a friend or relative outside your town or area as your point of contact in the event members of your household are separated during the emergency or if power is interrupted. Determine a place for the members of the household to meet if separated.
- EVACUATION PLAN: Make sure you have a detailed map and plan various routes out of your area. Remember, do not rely on the map on your phone as power may be interrupted during an emergency. Avoid low-lying areas and do several “test” runs of different routes.
- HAVE A PET PLAN: Make sure all pets in your household have identification collars. Determine a safe place to take your pets (most evacuation shelters do NOT accept animals).
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
If you do not have one already, develop an emergency supply kit. Make sure everyone in your household knows where this kit is located.
- WATER: Minimum three (3) gallons of drinking water per person. Have additional water for sanitation purposes.
- FOOD: Minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration or preparation and little or no water (Canned fruit, juice, vegetables, ready-to-eat meats, soups, crackers, peanut butter, etc.)
- FIRST AID KIT: Have one kit for your home and each vehicle (Include: Bandages, gauze, latex gloves, needle/thread, safety pins, scissors, etc.). Remember to include your medications!
- ESSENTIALS: Make sure you have a battery-operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries.
- SANITATION: Soap, toilet paper, personal hygiene items, plastic garbage bags, household bleach, plastic bucket with a tight lid.
- CLOTHING: Sunglasses, hat/gloves, sleeping bag/blankets, sturdy shoes, and one complete change of clothing and shoes per person.
- BABY SUPPLIES: Formula, bottles, diapers, medications, powdered milk, etc.
- PET SUPPLIES: Pet food, vaccination records, harness/leash/carrier, plastic containers, etc.
- IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS: Key telephone numbers (emergency agencies/family/friends), bank account numbers, cash, family records (birth, marriage, death certificates); inventory/photos of valuable household goods; copies of insurance policies, wills, deeds, investments; records/list of credit card account numbers and companies; copies of social security cards, passports, prescriptions.
- FAMILY MEDICAL ITEMS: Insulin, denture needs, contact lenses/supplies, extra eyeglasses, prescription drugs and medications.
- COMPUTER ITEMS: Take discs of important documents or information or your laptop computer. Having a portable power bank can help charge your phone and computer if power is interrupted.
It’s important to customize your kits based on your family’s needs and review the above information with your family.
EVACUATION TIPS
In the event of an evacuation order, it is essential to listen to local authorities/emergency and leave the area immediately.
In the event of wildfires, DO NOT leave your sprinklers, irrigation systems or water running before evacuating. Doing so can rapidly drain your local water storage tanks and reduce water pressure which is critical for firefighters to fight fires effectively. fires. Firefighters rely on stable water pressure to combat fires effectively – every drop counts in an emergency and doing so will put your home and community at greater risk.
Make sure you have a detailed map and plan various routes out of your area. Remember, do not rely on the map on your phone as power may be interrupted during an emergency. Avoid low-lying areas and do several test runs of different routes.
Essential Steps to Stay Prepared for Any Emergency
1. Create a Comprehensive Emergency Plan
- Develop an evacuation plan that includes multiple escape routes in case of road closures.
- Identify a safe meeting location where your family can reunite if separated.
- Establish a communication plan to stay connected with loved ones if phone lines are down.
- Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, medications, and essential supplies for at least 72 hours.
2. Stay Informed: Update Alerts & Notifications
- Golden State Water will send critical updates regarding your water system during emergencies.
- Ensure your contact information is up to date to receive timely notifications. To update your contact information and enroll in GSWC’s emergency notifications, sign up below:
LANDSCAPING HARDENING – WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
As wildfires are an increasing threat in California, it is essential to take proactive steps to protect your home in the event of an emergency. Protecting your home from wildfires involves taking specific steps to make it more resilient, including home hardening and fire-resistant landscaping. Home hardening includes using fire-resistant building materials, adopting safe landscaping practices and implementing preventative measures to reduce fire risk and enhance property safety. While structural improvements help protect your home, landscaping hardening plays a crucial role in stopping fires before they reach your property.
There are several effective ways to protect your home from wildfires through smart landscaping and other preventative measures, including:
- Choosing fire-resistant plants that retain moisture and are less likely to ignite.
- Maintaining proper spacing between vegetation to slow fire spread and prevent flames from jumping between plants.
- Using non-combustible materials such as gravel, stone, or decomposed granite instead of flammable mulch.
Learn more about how to protect your home and surrounding landscape from wildfires: https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace.
RESOURCES
Taking these steps to prepare for an emergency now can help keep you, your family and your community safe during an emergency. Stay prepared, stay informed, and always follow official guidance.
Emergency Agencies:
