The Santa Ynez Reservoir in Pacific Palisades is operational again, following extensive repairs, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) announced on Thursday. The reservoir had been offline since early 2024 due to a significant tear in its floating cover, which was exacerbated by rainstorm damage, sun exposure, and wildfire embers.
The DWP initially believed repairs were complete three months ago, but further tears and leaks were discovered in April, necessitating additional work. A team of divers helped identify and fix “pinhole sized” leaks, ensuring the reservoir’s readiness for service. Adam Perez, the DWP’s interim director of water operations, expressed gratitude to the contractors and workers for their efforts in restoring the reservoir.
The reservoir’s absence was notably felt during the January Palisades fire, which claimed at least 30 lives and destroyed over 18,000 homes and buildings. The lack of available water from the reservoir during the fire has raised questions about the city’s infrastructure management. L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park emphasized the need for the city’s water infrastructure to be emergency-ready, stating, “Anything less puts everything we hold dear at risk.”
The reservoir, with a total storage capacity of 117 million gallons, plays a crucial role in providing supplementary water supply during high usage periods and offers redundancy if other infrastructure fails. The DWP is now working on solutions for the reservoir’s cover to enhance its durability and service life.
Despite the reservoir’s return to service, inquiries into its unavailability during the fire remain unanswered. The DWP has not provided additional information regarding these investigations, leaving residents with lingering concerns about future emergencies.
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