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F7: Emergency Response Upgrades*

About This Project

This project supports ongoing development and maintenance of a robust flood forecasting system. The system facilitates the efficient dissemination of information to emergency responders and the public.

 

*This project was voter approved as part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

New Stream Gauge Sensor
Datapoints
Status
Active
Location
Countywide
Schedule
Start FY 2022 / Finish FY 2036
Funding
Safe, Clean Water Fund ($13.2 million)
News and UpdatesNews and Updates
Reports and DocumentsReports and Documents
Environmental and Community BenefitsEnvironmental and Community Benefits
History and BackgroundHistory and Background
News & Updates

Many computational tasks for the flood forecast system have now been moved to the cloud (Amazon Web Services) to improve uptime and future scalability.

  • Work has begun to optimize the data transmission stream from the field sensors for greater reliability.
  • Work continues on developing a more robust notification system.

April 2024

For more information:

 

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Environmental & Community Benefits

FY22-36 Key Performance Indicator for the Safe, Clean Water Program

  1. Maintain existing capabilities for flood forecasting and warning.

  2. Improve flood forecast accuracy and emergency response time working with the National Weather Service and through research and development. 

Benefits

  • Improves the accuracy of flood forecasting services

  • Improves emergency response times and information dissemination regarding upcoming storms and potential floods

  • Provides information toward improving reservoir management to optimize flood risk reduction and water supply management

  • Provides a real-time website that tracks and offers public access to local weather and flood forecasting information

  • Increases atmospheric data collection network, data management and maintenance

  • Addresses climate changes through an adaptation strategy to track and understand uncertain future weather patterns

Geographic Area of Benefit 

Countywide

 

History & Background

About the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program

In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.

The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water Program will continue to provide approximately $47 million annually for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities we serve in Santa Clara County.

While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program, which are:

Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply

Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in our Waterways

Priority C: Protect our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters

Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space

Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways

Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community

Each year, Valley Water prepares a report providing a progress update for each of these program priorities, along with fiscal year accomplishments.

To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress to ensure the outcomes are achieved in a cost-efficient manner and reports its findings to the Board. Additionally, the IMC also reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.

In addition, the program requires three independent audits.

View the Safe, Clean Water Program’s annual reports, annual IMC audit reports, and independent audits, including a staff response, on the Valley Water website.