Hilltop reservoir that could've fed Palisades hydrants was empty; Newsom orders probe

(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into why the 117 million gallon hilltop reservoir above the Pacific Palisades has been empty since early 2024 for repairs to its plastic cover, tying the reservoir to a loss of fire hydrant water pressure at a critical juncture for the fire that has leveled thousands of homes in the coastal community. 

“The ongoing reports of the loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” wrote Newsom in his letter to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power demanding an investigation. “While water supplies from local fire hydrants are not designed to extinguish wildfires over large areas, losing supplies from fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors.” 

The Los Angeles Times reports the reservoir has been empty since February 2024 to facilitate repairs to its plastic cover, which also required repairs in 2022. 

LADWP, which runs the reservoir, says that it had to shut down the reservoir to ensure that stored water would be safe to drink.

“LADWP was required to take the Santa Ynez Reservoir out of service to meet safe drinking water regulations,” LADWP said in a statement. To commission the support and resources to implement repairs to Santa Ynez, LADWP is subject to the city charter’s competitive bidding process which requires time.”

Hilltop reservoir that could've fed Palisades hydrants was empty, Newsom orders investigation