May 6, 2008
MEDIA ADVISORY
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ERIC GARCETTI, COUNCILMEMBER TOM LA BONGE AND LADWP GENERAL MANAGER DAVID NAHAI TO BEGIN REFILLING THE SILVER LAKE RESERVOIR
SILVER LAKE COMMUNITY ICON COMES BACK TO LIFE
WHAT: The opening of the tower valves and the initial rush of fresh water that will begin the refill process of the currently-drained 795-million gallon reservoir. The Silver Lake Reservoir holds drinking water for LADWP consumers in Downtown, Central and South Los Angeles. The Reservoir is also the namesake and beloved centerpiece of the Silverlake community.
WHO: Hon. Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council President
Hon. Tom LaBonge, Los Angeles City Council Member, District 4
David Nahai, LADWP CEO & General Manager
WHEN: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Silver Lake Reservoir
The entry gate to the Reservoir is located near the intersection of 1900 West Silver Lake Drive and Redesdale Avenue, at the west dam abutment. Media vehicles may enter the gate and park inside the facility. The event will take place at the Southwest corner of the Reservoir.
VISUALS:
Members of the press are invited to capture the unique images of fresh water rushing from the facility’s tower, restoring life and vitality to the dry Reservoir.
BACKGROUND:
In late 2007, the Silver Lake Reservoir tested positive for bromate, a suspected carcinogen in scenarios of long-term exposure. Although the level of bromate in the Reservoir did not violate the acceptable drinking water standard, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power did not hesitate to remove the Reservoir from service and dispose of the water in order to ensure the highest customer confidence in the quality of our drinking water. The Reservoir has since been cleaned and inspected and the Reservoir is prepared to go back online, beating the increased consumer demand for water in the hot summer months. Depending on Water System operations and consumer demand, refilling the Reservoir will generally take place at approximately 3 feet per day and will continue for 15-20 days until the body of water is restored to full capacity. The Reservoir will be refilled with highest-quality water from the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which originates in the Owens River Valley as snowpack. The Silverlake Reservoir delivers drinking water to approximately 600,000 consumers in central and south Los Angeles.
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