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Installing electronic flow sensors and automatic shut-offs on water mains in the ABAG designated danger areas could preserve a critical resource and help to prevent loss of life and property. Knowledge of the precise location of ruptured pipes might allow a temporary above ground pipe to be quickly installed and connected hydrants on either side of the failure, bypassing the break and restoring crucial service. Connecting the electronic sensors and shut off valves into a network monitored at the water department could give an administrator or fire department personnel options to redirect water to areas where service is still available or is most critically needed. Mankind cannot control earthquakes. Even best designed and built structures will fail when challenging the power of plate tectonics. Without water, San Francisco had to use dynamite to slow and control the 1906 blaze. Many people's homes and businesses within the fire break area had to be sacrificed to protect the rest of the city. San Francisco's Marina district for example may not be savable after the next earthquake, despite firefighters valiant efforts. Pulverized water pipes throughout the landfill area may be useless. Sophisticated computer simulations could be programmed to display an inventory of available resources including manpower, firefighting equipment, and water. An optimum perimeter could be developed taking wind direction and other information into account to assure that the city could contain the blaze and survive with minimal loss of property. If the high risk areas cannot be fortified against fire, the danger must be contained within those areas if the entire community is to have a reasonable chance of survival. What would an urban water management system be worth? How much would it cost to get fire departments to work with software programmers while electronic hardware specialist work with valve engineers and geologists interface with water department techs as insurance actuaries educate politicians? Bringing these and other disciplines together can be accomplished. The insurance exposure on property damage due to fire exclusively in Kobe would seem to make the development expense and retrofit very cost effective.

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