Life on the west coast of the United States is a contrast between scenic geographic beauty and the ever- present threat of earthquakes due to the convergence of tectonic plates along the edge of the continent. Damage to critical infrastructure from earthquakes is a risk that public agencies throughout the west coast must guard against and prepare for well in advance of any events. In California, hospitals, transit systems, power plants and water utilities are required to meet increasingly stringent seismic standards.
Like thousands of water utilities throughout California, the City of Escondido has been actively upgrading its water treatment facilities and distribution system infrastructure to meet increased safety requirements. Located 30 miles northeast of San Diego, Escondido’s topography is made up of a shallow valley surrounded by mountains. The City, once known as the “Avocado Capital of the World,” has transitioned from a predominantly rural, agricultural area into a large suburban community of over 150,000 people. The City provides treated drinking water to over 25,000 residential, industrial and agricultural customers. Much of the City’s raw source water is held in large manmade reservoirs in the mountain canyons above the valley.