DATE: September 15, 2025
TO: President and Members of the Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID Board of Directors)
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, District Manager
Marlene Suhashini, Assistant District Manager
FROM: Andrew Brozyna, Public Works Director
Zaheed Danish, Public Works Maintenance Manager
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO THE SAN MATEO COUNTY CIVIL GRAND
JURY REPORT "WILL THE NEXT ONE LEAVE YOU HIGH AND
DRY?"
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Directors of Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) approve a response letter to the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury’s report entitled “Will the Next One Leave You High and Dry?” and authorize the EMID President to transmit the response letter.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On July 8, 2025, the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury released a report entitled “Will the Next One Leave You High and Dry?" (Attachment 1). The report was a continuation of the 2021-22 Civil Grand Jury Report entitled “The Other Worry: Is Your Water Provider Prepared for the Big One?”, which identified the steps water providers in San Mateo County have taken to ensure sufficient water supply and distribution capacity in the event of an earthquake that disrupts transmission of water from the Hetch Hetchy system for up to 72 hours after a catastrophic seismic event.
The 2025 report includes six (6) findings and six (6) recommendations. Of these, EMID is required to respond to one (1) finding and one (1) recommendation.
EMID staff prepared a response letter (Attachment 2) disagreeing with Finding 3, and confirming EMID has implemented Recommendation 3.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
As required by America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA), EMID developed an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in December 2021. A tabletop exercise testing EMID’s emergency preparedness in accordance with the ERP was conducted by the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department on October 25, 2023. EMID plans to update the ERP by the due date of June 30, 2026.
EMID recently completed the Water Tanks and Facilities Improvements Project (CIP 405- 660). EMID has one 8-million-gallon concrete tank and three 4-million-gallon steel tanks.
These tanks have been coated, retrofitted for earthquakes, and equipped with water quality mixers.
EMID staff prepared a response letter (Attachment 2) with responses as follows:
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.
Response to F3: EMID wholly disagrees with this finding. EMID currently maintains a combination of fuel sources that, collectively, can support water service for at least three days. EMID’s water pumping system is powered by two electric pumps, with two additional pumps available to provide redundancy. These backup pumps are regularly tested and are powered by natural gas. In the event of a natural gas disruption, on-site propane vessels serve as an alternate fuel source. To further improve system reliability, EMID is in the process of replacing the generators that power the Corporation Yard, where the Water Booster Pumps are located. This upgrade will help ensure a dependable power source during outages. Additionally, EMID is preparing to upgrade the propane fuel system to enhance redundancy for the gas-powered water booster pumps.
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.
Response to R3: The recommendation has been implemented. EMID currently maintains a minimum of three days of emergency fuel through a combination of sources. In enhanced alignment with the Gand Jury’s recommendation, EMID is developing plans to further increase its emergency fuel storage and pumping capabilities, therefore, the recommendation has been implemented.
This response is required pursuant to Penal Code section 933 et seq. and is due to the Grand Jury within 90 days from the publication date which is October 6, 2025.
CEQA
This item is categorized under CEQA’s common sense exemption, as CEQA applies only to projects with potential significant environmental impact. Since this activity poses no significant environmental effect, it is not subject to CEQA (CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3)).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with responding to the Grand Jury. Fiscal impacts of ensuring a sufficient fuel supply in the event of an emergency have been included in the preparation of the budget.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Facilities and Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Report Entitled “Will the Next One Leave You High and Dry?” (Dated July 8, 2025)
Attachment 2 - Draft Response Letter from the EMID President to San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury