California water agencies may get a new defense in lawsuits over hydrants running dry in wildfires

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Set us as preferred As the city of Los Angeles and the L.A.Department of Water and Power face lawsuits by residents who claim the city failed to ensure adequate water to fight the Palisades fire, California legislators have passed a bill that would give water agencies a new tool to defend themselves in such cases.The legislation, Senate Bill 1153, would clarify that public water agencies do not have a duty to design, build or maintain a water system for wildfire defense or suppression, and that the inability to maintain water supply or water pressure during a wildfire is not a “substantial cause” of fire damages.The bill, which is awaiting Gov.

Gavin Newsom’s signature, also would require urban retail water suppliers in high or very high fire hazard zones to include specific response procedures for wildfires as part of their disaster preparedness plans, including equipment and actions that can lessen the impact of a fire on the water system.The Assn.of California Water Agencies, which represents about 470 public agencies, sponsored the legislation.

Climate & Environment Nearly a year after the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, residents and experts say the water problems that hindered firefighting leave several lessons.The bill would strengthen emergency preparedness and also clarify the role of water suppliers, said Karla Nemeth, the association’s executive director.“Water systems are designed for providing safe and clean drinking water and providing water to aid in small structure fires,” Nemeth said in an email.“Water systems are not designed for climate-driven wildfires.”The Palisades fire in January 2025 killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.During the fire’s rapid spread, the water system quickly lost pressure as crews drew heavily on hydrants, residents ran sprinkle...