LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2025)–Last week, LADWP Water Operations staff identified additional small tears and pinhole sized leaks in the floating cover that ensures the drinking water in Santa Ynez Reservoir in Pacific Palisades meets state and federal water quality standards.
To make repairs safely, the reservoir must be re-drained after having been refilled to approximately 25% of capacity.
Draining the reservoir and completing work to make the additional repairs to the reservoir cover is expected to take approximately three to four more weeks. Based on this estimate, LADWP should resume refilling the reservoir in May and return it to service in mid- to late June. This timeframe is subject to change, and LADWP will provide additional updates on the status as progress is made.
Layfield Group, the contractor hired to repair a previous tear in the floating cover, had completed testing of its repairs on March 26. LADWP began refilling the reservoir on March 31, and expected it to be refilled and returned to service by May 1.
The holes were suspected when staff observed water ponding on top of the cover last week — indicating a possible leak near the just-repaired section. Divers were dispatched to investigate and assess the condition of the cover and they discovered additional small tears and pin-sized leaks that must be repaired before the reservoir can be filled.
LADWP continues to provide water to the entire Pacific Palisades community that meets or exceeds water quality standards through the large diameter pipes supplying the area’s distribution network of pipes, tanks, pump station and fire hydrants. The system also remains in full compliance with state and federal fire codes and standards.
“The fact that the initial repairs and inspection by the contractor did not detect the small tears and pinholes on the floating cover is troubling, especially since LADWP required the contractor to fully test the repairs prior to refilling the reservoir. While this development is a frustrating setback, we are working as quickly as possible with the contractor to return Santa Ynez Reservoir to service,” said Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager – Water System. “I want to assure our customers that water supply to the Palisades remains safe and strong. We also have additional water available to support firefighting needs in nearby Encino Reservoir and the tanks serving the Palisades are full and operational. The water system serving the Palisades continues to meet all federal and state fire codes and water quality standards while these additional repairs are completed.”
As work to repair and refill the reservoir continues, staff is also investigating alternatives to replace the floating cover.
The current repairs underscore the value and purpose of having a redundant water distribution system, as exists across the City of Los Angeles and in the Palisades. These redundancies allow LADWP to continue providing water to residents and the area, including water available in open air reservoirs to support aerial firefighting, while performing required maintenance of reservoirs, pipelines, tanks, regulator stations, and the other equipment comprising the vast water system serving our city. This network ensures drinking water supplies remain available while facilities are repaired or removed from service for construction or upgrades.
# # #
