Emergency Preparedness

Preparing for Disaster

There’s no getting around it - the Bay Area is in for another major earthquake. In fact, experts predict a 70% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake occurring in the San Francisco Bay Area within the next 30 years. Are you and your family prepared for such a disaster?

While ACWD’s disaster preparedness efforts include extensive measures to protect the water system from damage resulting from earthquakes, many breaks in our water system pipelines will undoubtedly occur. In fact, the damage to ACWD’s system from a major earthquake could be so severe that the reliable supply of high quality drinking water our customers rely upon and have learned to expect could be interrupted for an extended period of time. That’s why one of the most important things that you can do to get ready for an earthquake (or any other disaster) is to store an adequate amount of emergency drinking water. You can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water.

In addition to the emergency preparedness resource links and FAQs provided in the menu boxes on the right of this page, ACWD strongly encourages you to complete the Family Disaster Planning Worksheet (PDF).