Lapses Found In San Francisco Emergency Water System

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A newspaper investigation has found that San Francisco's emergency water system is not adequate for putting out multiple fires at once, a likely scenario after a major earthquake.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that city voters have approved millions of dollars in bond money for an elaborate emergency water system, but that the city has failed to spend it properly.

Retired Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Doudiet says the city has an endless supply of water, but an inadequate emergency delivery system.

Doudiet says half of the city could be left without water for firefighting in a major disaster.

For example, the newspaper says San Francisco hasn't spent enough to purchase the portable firefighting equipment that is instrumental to fighting fires in the city's outer residential districts.