A major reservoir that was drained and shut down during the deadly Los Angeles wildfires has required similar repairs repeatedly in recent years, according to a new report.
The 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir in the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades area was empty when the historic conflagration began ravaging the area a week ago, and its torn lid is being repaired. It was.
The supply system, operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), had been empty since February 2024 pending repairs to the floating cover.
But the cover, designed to keep contaminants out of the water, needed repairs just two years ago, according to regulatory filings. Obtained by Wall Street Journal.
According to documents, the cover was installed in 2011 and was expected to have a useful life of 20 years.
LADWP, the largest local government in the U.S., has signed a repair contract with Rayfield Group for both 2022 and 2024, records show.
LADWP and local officials have come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that the main reservoir at the deadly Palisades Fire in an affluent area of Los Angeles had been closed for repairs by the time firefighters began putting out the fire. facing.
Reports have also emerged that local fire hydrants have run dry due to low water pressure, leaving firefighters struggling to put out the fires.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday called for an investigation into how the Santa Ynez Reservoir dried up amid reports that crews are struggling to get enough water to fight the inferno.
Newsom, who has been criticized by President-elect Donald Trump over his response to the historic fire, called the reports “very disturbing.”
LADWP said it would conduct its own review, but stopped short of addressing the necessary amendments to the cover.
A LADWP spokesperson said: “As we face the impacts of climate change and build resilience to climate change, these We welcome the review and update of the Code and requirements.”
Contractor Rayfield also has not publicly commented on the repairs.
Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of residents and others affected by the historic fire accuses the utility of failing to properly manage its water supply.
“Pacific Palisades' water system has been devastated, leaving residents and firefighters with little or no water to fight the fires,” Roger Behle, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, said in a statement.
The Palisades Fire had killed at least eight people, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, and had already burned more than 23,700 acres as of late Monday.
with post wire
