New Layer of Earthquake Protection

Lake Oswego Tigard Water System Adds New Layer of Earthquake Protection

The City of Lake Oswego is now an official partner with the U.S. Geological Survey-led ShakeAlert© Earthquake Early Warning System—bringing a powerful new layer of protection to the Lake Oswego–Tigard Water Treatment Plant and its staff. The ShakeAlert System uses a vast network of seismic sensors and processing centers throughout the West Coast that rapidly estimate the location, size (magnitude), and shaking levels of an earthquake with the goal to take prompt action before strong shaking arrives.

By integrating USGS-issued ShakeAlert data directly into plant operations, the plant can automatically trigger rapid pump shutdowns and activate internal alarm systems. This split-second response helps protect critical water infrastructure from damage and ensures employees are alerted to take protective action such as Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

The water treatment plant is already engineered to withstand a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. Adding ShakeAlert enhances this resiliency even further—reducing the risk of equipment failure, improving emergency response, and helping maintain continuity of service during major seismic events.

For more information about the ShakeAlert system visit: https://www.ShakeAlert.org