California Rural Water extends its deepest sympathies to the water systems and members affected by the recent devastating firestorms in Los Angeles County. We understand the immense challenges these disasters present, and California Rural Water remains committed to supporting utilities as they navigate this difficult time.
If your water system has been impacted and requires assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We have compiled a comprehensive list of wildfire response and recovery resources specifically tailored for small water utilities, including:
- Funding and Financial Assistance – Information on grants, loans, and emergency funding programs available for wildfire recovery.
- Operational Guidance – Best practices for assessing system damage, restoring service, and ensuring water quality after a wildfire.
- Regulatory Compliance Support – Assistance with reporting requirements, emergency response plans, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
Our team is here to provide guidance, connect you with critical resources, and help ensure a smooth recovery process. Please contact us for more information or assistance.
Together, we can rebuild and strengthen our water systems for the future.
Thanks!
Dustin Hardwick | Deputy Director
California Rural Water Association
Ph: 916-553-4900 Ext. 108 |C: 760-920-0842
1234 North Market Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95834
CA License # 0G53300
dhardwick@calruralwater.org
www.calruralwater.org
Wildfire Response and Recovery Resources for Water Utilities (as of 2/1/2025)
Funding and Financial Assistance
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (Home Disaster Loans, Business Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans) – https://www.sba.gov/disaster
- Cal OES State Recovery Resources – https://wildfirerecovery.caloes.ca.gov/
- FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Program
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) – https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds/building-resilient-infrastructure-and-communities-bric
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) – https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds/hazard-mitigation-grant-program-hmgp
- Small Business Administration Loans Available to Water and Wastewater Utilities – https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds/small-business-administration-loans-available-water-and-wastewater-utilities
- CA Office of Small Business Advocate list of current grant opportunities – https://www.grants.ca.gov/
- California State Treasurer’s Office CA Capital Access Program (CalCAP) – https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/
Business and Employment Assistance
- LAEWDD Los Angeles Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program – https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/recovery/legalaid
- LAEWDD BusinessSource Centers (free one-on-one consultation, business and employment support, and assistance with applying for forthcoming microenterprise grants and microloans)- https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/local-business/businesssource-centers
- LAED Business Assistance – https://laedc.org/business-assistance/layoff-aversion/
- LAEDC Job Loss Assistance – https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/employment-services/jobloss
- Los Angeles County Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)- https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc
Wildfire Response and Recovery Resources for Water Utilities
- LA City Disaster Recovery Center (help replace lost vital records, apply for disaster relief loans, and provide referrals for mental health counseling and other services) – https://www.ewddlacity.com/index.php/2025-los-angeles-wild-fires-resources
Public Communication
- EPA Water Utility Communication During Emergency Response – https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/water-utility-communication-during-emergency-response
Building Resiliency
- EPA Basics of Water Resilience – https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/basics-water-resilience
- EPA Wildfire Incident Action Checklists for Water Utilities (checklist to help with emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities) – https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/220218-incident-action-checklist-wildfires.pdf
- EPA Water Utility Response On-The-Go Plus Mobile Application (an app that shares information and tools that water utility operators and their response partners may need during an emergency) – https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/water-utility-response-go-plus-mobile-application
- EPA Disaster Recovery Financing Webinar for Water and Wastewater Utilities (how states and communities use state revolving fund, FEMA, and other financing approaches to recover from a disaster) – https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/disaster-recovery-financing-webinar-water-and-wastewater-utilities
- EPA Planning for an Emergency Drinking Water Supply – https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-03/documents/planning_for_an_emergency_drinking_water_supply.pdf
- Hazard Mitigation for Natural Disasters: A Starter Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities (Guide to work with their local mitigation planners to implement priority projects using FEMA or other source funding) – https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/hazard-mitigation-natural-disasters-starter-guide-water-and-wastewater
- CalOSBA Outsmart Disaster (help you create a customized continuity plan and build resiliency) – https://outsmartdisaster.calosba.ca.gov/
Additional Wildfire Response and Recovery Resources for Water Utilities
Other comprehensive lists of resources particular to the response to the January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires include:
- Comprehensive list of resources available for businesses and workers impacted by the Los Angeles City Wildfires – https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/employment-services/2025-la-wild-fire-assistance
- Los Angeles County Wildfire Recovery Resources – https://recovery.lacounty.gov/resources/
- Economic Alliance list of disaster relief resources – http://EconomicAlliance.org/disaster-relief