Board directs assessment of fire-response vulnerabilities, authorizes up to $73,100 contract

The Sweetwater Authority on Jan. 22 authorized the general manager to execute a contract with HDR Incorporated for a fire system infrastructure assessment, with a not-to-exceed amount of $73,100.

Assistant General Manager and staff told the board that recent large fires elsewhere prompted the request for a study to model the distribution system under a range of fire scenarios, including hydraulic modeling under multiple demand cases and coordination with local fire departments. The scope described by staff includes a review of resilience issues such as power disruptions, chemical handling and emergency response procedures; an optional task would research grants and assistance for identified upgrades.

HDR was recommended because it already maintains a distribution hydraulic model for the authority and because the firm has prior experience with master planning and vulnerability assessments. Staff said the proposed scope would identify vulnerabilities tied to pump outages, generator dependencies, pressure and flow limitations, and coordination points with fire agencies and land-use authorities.

Director Castaneda made a motion to authorize the contract; after discussion about coordination with county Office of Emergency Services and the need to include the authority's water facilities master plan and emergency action plans in the scope, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract.

Staff and directors emphasized that many parts of the Sweetwater system are gravity-fed and robust, but that targeted analysis is warranted for pumped zones, generator dependencies and interfaces with other agencies. The assessment will be used to identify possible remedial actions, potential grants and follow-up steps to increase preparedness.