We’re proud to share that Suburban Water Systems, a longtime California Water Association (CWA) member, is featured in the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s 2025 Water Issue, released in honor of World Water Day.
In a powerful article titled “Water Utilities Can Fight Fire and Maintain Affordability,” Suburban’s President Craig Gott highlights the essential role that water utilities play in emergency response, fire resilience, and protecting water quality—while also balancing the need to keep water affordable for all customers.
Read the article here:
Water Utilities Can Fight Fire and Maintain Affordability
Craig reflects on the impacts of recent wildfires across Southern California, crediting the work of water utilities and frontline operators for helping firefighters protect lives and homes. Suburban has invested over $40 million in recent years to upgrade backup power, water sources, storage, and pipeline infrastructure—investments that directly support firefighting capability and system reliability.
In addition to emergency preparedness, the article touches on ongoing water quality monitoring, local groundwater treatment, and the financial realities of maintaining these systems. Suburban’s efforts demonstrate how utilities can deliver high-quality service while offering Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) and supporting a statewide low-income rate assistance program.
“We can invest in fire resilience and water quality while keeping water bills affordable for the many vulnerable people we proudly serve,” Gott writes.
We applaud Suburban Water Systems for their leadership and continued commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable water, and we appreciate the Sierra Club for recognizing the work of regulated water utilities across California.
