April 6, 2026- The California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA) recently provided testimony at the very first meeting of the California Senate Emergency Management Committee at the request of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). CUEA spoke on the issues addressed by Senate Bill 1153, which focuses on strengthening emergency planning for urban water systems.
While CUEA does not take formal positions on legislation, our organization serves as California’s designated utilities emergency coordination partner, supporting water and wastewater utilities statewide from our seat in the State Operations Center during major incidents.
Our testimony emphasized that effective coordination doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built through long‑standing relationships, shared frameworks, and trust. Water systems can and should integrate emergency planning into existing processes like risk and resilience assessments, emergency response plans, and capital improvement programs to ensure consistency and avoid duplication.
CUEA also highlighted California’s “19‑20‑21” challenge: water systems conceived in the 19th and early 20th centuries, governed by 20th‑century rules, and facing 21st‑century climate pressures. Most were never designed to serve as limitless wildfire suppression networks—they exist to safely deliver drinking water and support structural fire flows. Expanding them beyond that purpose would pose significant financial and engineering challenges.
CUEA appreciates ACWA’s invitation to share these insights and remains committed to helping utilities strengthen preparedness across California.
Listen to the hearing here.
