City of Foster City/Estero Municipal Improvement District 610 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 P: (650) 286-3200 F: (650) 577-0983 E: [email protected] 3 7
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OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Estero Municipal Improvement District
September 15, 2025
Honorable Donald J. Ayoob
Judge of the Superior Court
c/o Jenarda Dubois
Hall of Justice
400 County Center; 2nd Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063-1655
RE: RESPONSE FROM THE ESTERO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (EMID) TO THE SAN MATEO COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT "WILL THE NEXT ONE LEAVE YOU HIGH AND DRY?" Honorable Donald J. Ayoob:
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the above referenced Grand Jury Report issued on July 8, 2025. EMID’s responses to both the findings and recommendations are listed below.
Responses to Grand Jury Findings:
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.
Responses to Grand Jury Recommendations:
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 days.
City of Foster City/Estero Municipal Improvement District 610 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 P: (650) 286-3200 F: (650) 577-0983 E: [email protected] 3 7
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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.
Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05 and the Brown Act, this response was considered by the EMID Board at a public meeting on September 15, 2025. Should you have any questions concerning this response, please contact Public Works Director Andrew Brozyna at (650) 286-3279.
Respectfully,
Stacy Jimenez
President Estero Municipal Improvement District Board of Directors