What is a Public Saftey Power Shutoff?

During wildfire season, Liberty Utilities may turn off electricity in designated areas when severe weather is forecasted to threaten a portion of the electric system (such as red flag warnings, low humidity, high winds, and dry conditions). The specific areas and number of customers affected will depend on weather conditions and which circuits Liberty turns off for public safety. These precautions are called Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

Visit Liberty Utilities website for information on power outages: https://california.libertyutilities.com/verdi/residential/safety/electrical/public-safety-power-shutoffs.html

What does this mean for your water service?

South Tahoe Public Utility District has a plan should we lose power. While Public Safety Power Shutoffs are focused on high fire threat areas, outages may affect all our water facilities. During power outages, the District will be running critical water and sewer facilities on emergency generators.  We urge customers to avoid unnecessary water use during power outages to  help keep our water tanks full in the event of fire.

What to do during a PSPS event:

Do:

1. Update emergency contact information
2. Identify your unique/critical water needs and plan ahead
3. Keep one gallon of water per person per day

Don't:

1. Water your lawn
2. Wash your vehicles
3. Run the clothes washer
4. Run the dishwasher
5. Take baths or long showers

How Your Water System Works and Why Power Matters

Your water system is a complex network that brings clean, reliable water to your tap—and electricity plays a key role every step of the way.

1. Groundwater Wells:
Water is pumped out of underground aquifers using deep wells.

2. Pump Stations:
Once pumped from the ground, water is moved through a series of pump stations. These stations help push water through miles of pipelines to homes, businesses, and storage tanks.

3. Water Storage Tanks:
Water is stored in large tanks located throughout the community. These tanks help ensure steady pressure and supply during peak demand and in the case of fire.

Power Dependency:
Every part of this system, from pumping groundwater to moving it through the system and storing it, requires electricity. During power outages, like those caused by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), the system relies on backup generators to keep water flowing and protect public health and safety.

That’s why water conservation is so important during outages.
Reducing your water use helps lighten the load on backup generators, preserves stored water in tanks, and ensures our community stays safe, especially during emergencies like wildfires.