CUEA NOVEMBER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | CALLEGUAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
At Calleguas Municipal Water District, water reliability is more than an operational responsibility. It is a commitment to the communities the District serves, the partnerships it builds, and the long-term resilience of the region.
Established in 1953, Calleguas is a regional wholesale water provider serving approximately 615,000 residents across southeastern Ventura County. Unlike retail water agencies that deliver water directly to homes and businesses, Calleguas imports, stores, and distributes water to 19 member purveyors, which include cities, local agencies, and other water providers its service area.
As a vital link in the region’s water supply system, Calleguas imports water from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California while investing in critical infrastructure, local water storage, and interconnections with neighboring agencies to strengthen regional water reliability.
Beyond delivering water, Calleguas plays an essential role in emergency preparedness and response. Through strategic infrastructure investments, proactive planning, and strong partnerships with public safety agencies, water providers, and regional stakeholders, the District works to ensure water remains available when communities need it most.
A reliable water supply doesn’t happen by chance. It takes planning, infrastructure, collaboration, and
dedicated people working together on behalf of the entire region.
Partnerships in Action: Supporting Wildfire Response
When the Sandy Fire ignited in Simi Valley on May 18, 2026, Calleguas Municipal Water District’s Lake Bard became a critical resource for regional wildfire response, demonstrating how strong interagency partnerships, coordinated emergency planning, and reliable water infrastructure work together to protect communities. The Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service utilized approximately 787,000 gallons of water in total from Lake Bard throughout the incident. The reservoir’s proximity to the fire allowed helicopters to quickly refill and return to firefighting operations, supporting efficient wildfire suppression efforts.
Throughout the emergency, Calleguas coordinated closely with fire agencies and regional partners to facilitate firefighting operations while maintaining reliable drinking water supplies for nearby communities. Despite a 40% increase in water demand during the first hour of the fire, the District continued to meet water supply needs while supporting the emergency response.
Recognizing the importance of timely and accurate information during an evolving emergency, Calleguas also implemented a proactive communications effort to keep its 19 purveyors, residents, elected officials, and community stakeholders informed. Through regular updates, media coordination, educational resources, and behind-the-scenes storytelling, the District highlighted the collaborative efforts of water and fire agencies while reinforcing public confidence in regional water
reliability.
The Sandy Fire demonstrated that effective emergency response begins well before an incident occurs. Established relationships, clear lines of communication, operational preparedness, and the ability to share critical resources allowed multiple agencies to coordinate effectively under highly challenging conditions. These partnerships not only facilitated the immediate wildfire response but also reinforced the importance of continued collaboration, shared resources, and strong regional partnerships to protect lives, property, and communities during emergencies. The response at Lake Bard serves as a powerful example of how regional partnerships, reliable infrastructure, and coordinated public agency efforts help protect communities when they need it most.
Building Resilience Through Regional Collaboration
Calleguas continues to strengthen regional water reliability through collaborative infrastructure projects, including the Calleguas–Las Virgenes Interconnection, which provides additional operational flexibility and emergency water supply options between neighboring water systems.
The District has also invested in backup power capabilities throughout its service area, including five, 2-megawatt generators at the Steve Blois Emergency Generator Building, helping to strengthen operational resilience at its Aquifer Storage and Recovery Wellfield during power disruptions.
Together, these investments reflect a proactive approach to emergency mitigation and the importance of planning for challenges before they arise.
Preparing Together, Responding Together
Emergency preparedness begins long before an incident occurs, with relationships built on trust, communication, and a shared commitment to protecting the communities Calleguas serves.
At Calleguas, fostering these relationships is an ongoing priority. Through facility tours and regular engagement with regional utilities, public safety agencies, and emergency management professionals, the District creates opportunities to keep important conversations moving forward. These interactions, provide a space to exchange ideas, better understand each agency’s capabilities and challenges, and identify opportunities to strengthen coordination before an emergency occurs.
Recently, Calleguas welcomed representatives from the California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA), Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, and Ventura County Public Health for a behind-the-scenes look at the District’s operations. The group toured a number of the District’s facilities, offering a firsthand look at the infrastructure, people, and processes that support regional water reliability.
Opening the District’s doors helps strengthen relationships with regional partners. By bringing partners to its facilities, Calleguas connects emergency planning and response professionals with the infrastructure and operations they may need to understand during a crisis. These interactions encourage questions, promote knowledge sharing, and help agencies better understand how their respective roles intersect.
Just as importantly, these engagements build momentum for ongoing collaboration. Each tour and discussion builds upon existing relationships, brings new perspectives to the table, and creates opportunities for continued collaboration. What begins as a facility tour can spark new ideas and partnerships that lead to better coordination, shared understanding, and stronger regional preparedness.
For Calleguas, these efforts are about more than showcasing facilities. They’re about creating meaningful connections, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring that when an emergency occurs, the relationships and conversations are already in place. Whether supporting aerial firefighting operations, investing in resilient infrastructure, or collaborating
with emergency management partners, Calleguas recognizes that preparedness is a shared responsibility.
“No single agency can prepare for or respond to every challenge alone. Strong partnerships, open communication, and a shared commitment to public service are essential to building a more resilient region.”
— Ian Prichard, Deputy General Manager
By continuing to build relationships across agencies and disciplines, Calleguas is strengthening not only its own water system, but also the collective ability of regional partners to prepare for and respond to emergencies. When emergencies happen, the strongest response begins with the partnerships built long before.
