The month of September is here! Children are back in school, the leaves are beginning to change, and South Bay weather is cooling off. September also marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month. Now in its 15th year, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide, month-long effort which encourages and reminds us all to prepare and plan for disasters or emergencies in our homes, businesses, and communities.You may have come across an article recently explaining how San Jose Water is playing a proactive role in preparing for emergency situations. Our community is subject to many types of disasters including flooding, fires and of course, earthquakes, so preparation is vital. We are in the midst of upgrading all of our water tanks and pipe systems to ensure that we have the most modern and resilient infrastructure in place in case of earthquakes and to best serve our customers. Along with monitoring our nearby dams to ensure they withstand major events and doubling the fuel capacity of our maintenance trucks so that we can stay in the field longer following an event to make repairs, we are also proud to have a strong partnership with Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to safeguard our region’s water supplies for disaster recovery efforts. It’s all part of our commitment to provide San Jose families with safe drinking water every day, no matter what situations may arise.

EMERGENCY WATER TIPS

There are many steps you, too, can take to prepare for the next emergency or disaster. Each step can be vital to saving your home and your life.


Turn it off - Everyday we rely on the utilities connected to our homes. Electricity, Gas, and water are all part of our daily routines. During a disaster, however, these utilities could become hazardous. Knowing where shut off valves are located and when and how to turn them off can help reduce the risk of fires, explosions, and water damage or contamination after a disaster. Know when and how to turn them off.

Emergency Water Supply - Access to water at all times is vital for survival. Having water storage in your home is an important measure as you prepare for disasters such as an earthquake, which could damage your pipes and leave you without access to clean water. It is recommended that you store enough water to last a minimum of 3 days - this includes drinking water, water for personal hygiene, and water for cooking purposes. Your emergency water supply should always be stored in a cool, dark place like a pantry or similar storage location.

Insurance Coverage - The best time to learn about insurance for water damage in your home is before a leak or pipe breakage happens. Check your home insurance and make sure you are covered in case of emergency. Learn about your coverage options.

 

Here are some additional resources to help keep you prepared:

 

National Preparedness Month is lead by ready.gov. Get involved and learn lifesaving skills this month and prepare yourself and your family in case of disaster. At the National Preparedness Month website you can find even more resources to spread the word about emergency preparedness to your friends and family.

The City of San Jose also hosts educational programs to help prepare your home for an emergency.

We have an emergency customer service line open 24/7 for water emergency needs as well. Give us a call and we are happy to help: (408) 279-7900. Check out our website for more ways to prepare your home for water-related emergencies.

 

The devastating wildfires in California this year remind us of the importance of preparing for disasters, and we believe that now is always the best time to start. Make a plan, practice it, and make it perfect - the health and safety of you and your family depends on it.