Interviewer: Could you tell us how you are connected
with the USGS’s ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario?
Gary Sturdivan: Yes. Dr. Jones and her staff had contacted
me to represent some water and get water involved in the
Scenario and on the ShakeOut. And I’m Region Six Chair for
CalWARN which is the Master Mutual Aid Agreement for
water/wastewater agencies throughout California. So I was
trying to get all the water agencies throughout California
activated and to participate in the USGS ShakeOut.
OK and how was your office using the science from the ShakeOut scenario.
I sit on the planning team also for USGS for the scenario
for the water agencies and one of the five members that
sit on that committee to identify how water agencies would
be affected by the scenario. And getting these groups
pulled together and using your ShakeOut maps and the scenario
and circulating that to water agencies. And questioning them
on what to expect if this were to happen. So that using that
science has been instrumental in getting water agencies
involved in the scenario and participating in the Golden Guardian 2008.
What has it meant for you that this is based on real research, real science?
As a Southern California resident, I was born in
Southern California and raised in Southern California so
I’ve seen earthquakes all my life and have been through
many earthquakes. But seeing that science and knowing that
our top scientist in Southern California and throughout the
nation have looked at this scenario and it’s true, it’s
something that did happen before. And knowing that and
knowing that this could happen and being prepared for it
it’s always great to practice before the real event.
What are some of the particular issues related to water that
this scenario would have an effect on if it played out?
Well it’s two-fold, it’s water and sewer agencies or pipeline
systems that are under the ground. Some agencies in Southern
California have been around for many more years than our agency.
My agency is only about 55 years old, so some of our water system
is about 55 years old. But looking at the reservoirs,
the tank structures and how they’re built, my agency sits
right on top of San Andreas Fault.
So I have water reservoirs on one side of the fault and
my water infrastructure, water lines on the other side and
wells on the other side of the fault. So dissecting my
agency in half basically. And getting this scenario involved
and looking at that ShakeOut maps and how it would sever and
the pipeline systems that would rupture. And the materials
that we used throughout history, the different types of
materials in the pipeline structures, underground structures.
One of them that we identified that would be heavily damaged
is the asbestos concrete lined pipes that were widely used in
the 80’s and early 90’s, even back in the early 70’s, mid 70’s.
About 40% of my system has that asbestos concrete line pipe and
it’s becoming very, very fragile. It doesn’t like to be moved.
So when you move it it’s going to break. So I’m looking at 40%
or better of my system that is gone. That’s a big problem when
you don’t water in the pipes anymore.
Right. So for you, what are you most proud of or excited
about or inspired by when it comes to the ShakeOut.
At looking at our facilities and looking at the water agencies,
I think one of the biggest things I’m excited about is getting
water agencies to come together. You know with mutual aid,
local mutual aid. And it’s taking a look at how we can help
each other in an emergency and of course help the public.
We’ve got to get water back in the systems, we have to get
water to the public. And it may not be water to your sink
anymore for a while. It may be a gallon of water that you
have or this is where you can get potable water.
But also getting and identifying the sewer systems as
being just as vulnerable as the water systems.
All right. Well thank you very much, Gary. We appreciate it.
Thank you.