San Mateo County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Will the Next Big One Leave You High and Dry? Release Date: July 8, 2025

Published: July 08, 2025 21 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

F1
The County Department of Emergency Management has not followed EPA
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that by December 31, 2025, the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management develop a plan to align its policy with EPA recommendations by coordinating disaster response preparedness with all county water providers.
F2
The water provider does not have three (3) days of emergency water storage, potentially compromising its ability to supply water following a catastrophic interruption in water distribution service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that by December 31, 2027, the water provider will develop plans to increase emergency water storage capacity sufficient to provide emergency water to its community for a minimum of three (3) days.
F3
The water provider does not have three (3) days of emergency fuel storage, affecting its ability to supply water following a catastrophic interruption in water distribution service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that by December 31, 2026, the water provider develop plans to increase emergency fuel and pumping capabilities in order to provide emergency water to their community for a minimum of three (3) days.
F4
The water provider could not produce documentation analyzing past exercises to test readiness and improve their performance, impacting their ability to supply water following a catastrophic interruption in water distribution service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that by December 31, 2025, the water provider perform an analysis and document an After-Action Report consistent with its emergency response plan.
F5
The water provider does not perform operational Functional or Full-Scale exercises, compromising the clarity of roles and responsibilities, and helping identify resource gaps. Connecting Water Utilities and Emergency Management Agencies, accessed May 21, 2025 https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/documents/water_emaconnection.pdf
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Grand Jury recommends that by June 30, 2026, the water provider perform, at a minimum, functional operational exercises consistent with its emergency response plans (ERP).
F6
Local agencies are responsible for oversight of the status of their Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, published in October 2021. While local jurisdictions remain responsible for implementation, there is no central repository reporting on overall progress.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Grand Jury recommends that by October 31, 2026, SMCEM report on the status of the mitigation projects contained in the 2021 and upcoming 2026 LHMP plans. The status of the 2021 projects should be included in the relevant partner annex when the plan is published in 2026.

No Responses Found 6

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Coastside County Water District Special District
East Palo Alto City
Estero Municipal Improvement District Other
Montara Sanitary District (San Mateo) Special District
Redwood City City
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office