Keeping Water Infrastructure Fueled and Ready in the SCV
Santa Clarita Valley, CA – Serving a growing Southern California community requires Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency to keep a wide range of equipment and infrastructure operating across its water system. That responsibility extends from routine maintenance and field work to emergency situations that can place additional demands on crews and equipment.
Over the past several years, the agency has placed greater emphasis on operational readiness, including adding generators and water pumps to help maintain service during wildfires and other disruptions.
“Most recently, the wildfires have been a big challenge for us,” said Jesus Martinez Ramirez, fleet supervisor for SCV Water. “So, we've been focusing on purchasing generators and water pumps to continue service during those incidents.”
A Fueling Challenge Put to the Test
For years, SCV Water relied on a 100-gallon fuel tank to support equipment throughout its system. The limitations of that setup became particularly clear during emergencies.
Senior Fleet Mechanic David Bosch remembers trying to fuel generators during a fire approximately two years ago. At the time, crews were working with a limited mobile fuel supply, which meant breaking up larger refueling needs into several smaller runs while also navigating disrupted conditions in the field.
“We'd fill 100 gallons and run to the gas station, but the gas station had no power,” Bosch said.
Crews ultimately had to return to the agency’s yard and continue hauling fuel 100 gallons at a time.
The experience highlighted a larger issue. SCV Water needed enough mobile capacity to support its equipment without depending on fuel sources that might not be available when conditions deteriorated.
Greater Capacity, Fewer Trips
SCV Water selected a Thunder Creek No HAZMAT Fuel and Service Trailer with 690 gallons of diesel capacity. The added capacity reduced the number of trips crews needed to make for fuel.
Capacity was only part of the decision. Martinez Ramirez said the ability to configure the trailer with factory-installed options, including upgraded tires, a work light, and an electric jack, helped make it a turnkey solution that matched the agency’s needs from the start.
Build quality and spill prevention were also priorities. Martinez Ramirez said the trailer’s heavy-duty construction gave the agency confidence in the equipment and helped make the case when the purchase was presented to its safety department.
“Before, it was four trips. Now it's one trip,” Bosch said.
The trailer is now used to fuel a range of field equipment across the system. At one SCV Water location without an above ground fuel tank, Bosch can also use the trailer as a mobile fueling station for equipment operating there.
Its size and hose reach also allow crews to access locations where space can be limited, including some of the agency’s tank sites.
For Martinez Ramirez, the efficiency gains also have a direct impact on the people he manages.
“It really cuts down the time it takes the guys to refuel, especially during long days,” Martinez Ramirez said. “When they're out there 12 to 15 hours, every hour you can save is a big deal.”
Emergency Response | Ready When Outside Fuel Is Not Accessible
While those time savings benefit routine operations, SCV Water’s larger objective is readiness when normal resources are disrupted.
During emergencies, third-party fuel vendors may be unwilling or unable to immediately enter affected areas. Martinez Ramirez said response times can stretch from 12 to 24 hours. The agency has also had situations where sites containing its own stationary fuel tanks had to be evacuated.
“For us, response time is a big priority,” Martinez Ramirez said. “So having our own fuel trailer and being able to refill our own generators, especially during emergency situations, is critical.”
The difference in demand can be significant. Bosch estimates typical usage at around 50 gallons per day, but during fires and public safety power shutoffs, the agency has moved as much as 1,200 gallons in a day. Stationary generators serving pressure tanks and booster stations can require 400 to 500 gallons in a single fill.
Expanding Who Can Respond When Fuel is Needed
When comparing solutions, SCV Water also considered who could operate the trailer during an emergency. While the agency’s mechanics hold CDLs, its staff does not have hazmat endorsements.
The No HAZMAT configuration gives the agency more flexibility to put the trailer to use when fleet personnel may already be committed elsewhere.
“Now one of the field guys can grab it and refill if I'm not available,” Bosch said. “It's a much faster process and opens it up to more of our team.”
That broader access gives the agency more options for keeping fuel moving during an emergency.
“The fuel trailer has been a big part of improving our operational readiness,” Martinez Ramirez said.
For SCV Water, that means having fuel, equipment, and personnel positioned to respond when maintaining service becomes most critical.
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