The Santa Ynez Reservoir was empty during the Palisades Fire and also the past year. DWP calls it drinking water, but there was drinking water for everyone in 2024, but there wasn’t water to put out the January 2025 fires.
In Circling the News January 11 story “Facts About Santa Ynez Reservoir Ignored” the history of the reservoir, the cover and the current situation was explored click here.
CTN contacted DWP to inquire about the cost of a new cover and if balls had been considered. There are balls on top of the Sylmar Reservoir. It seems that only the drinking water question has been considered for Santa Ynez and the firefighting has not. CTN wrote “When a response is received this story will be updated.”
Today, January 13, DWP spokesperson Christina Holland responded, “Thanks for reaching out about the shade balls. In answer to your question: The shade balls were not evaluated because they do not meet regulatory requirements to ensure that treated drinking water is fully protected.”
Holland was told that there were shade balls on Sylmar and asked, “Given the high fire potential for this area, why would they not be considered?”
She explained, “Yes, there are shade balls at the reservoir in Sylmar. However, water from the LA Reservoir in Sylmar moves through a UV Treatment Facility AFTER leaving the reservoir and BEFORE entering the drinking water system.
“Santa Ynez Reservoir, on the other hand, is a TREATED (finished) water reservoir. Shade balls were not evaluated because they do not meet regulatory requirements to ensure that treated drinking water is fully protected.”
This editor pointed out that the reservoir was dry for a year, and everyone had drinking water. But on the other hand the reservoir was dry and there was no water to fight the fire.
CTN asked, “Has DWP considered making firefighting a priority- especially for this area?”
When she responds the story will be updated.
(Editor’s note: Some people said the reservoir has already been drained. CTN checked with Councilmember Traci Park’s office, who went straight to DWP on January 13. That agency is saying there is water inside the Santa Ynez Reservoir.)
At the “they let us burn” rally I thought it was stated that the Santa ynez reservoir was for fire fighting and that there was a second separate reservoir for water.
If the water in the Santa Ynez reservoir has been treated, when/where and how has it been treated? Where does it come from? Runoff from the area mountains? I thought the reservoir was designed for and its water stored for fire fighting, not drinking water. Can the DWP it should be kept full and accessible for the purpose of fighting fires?!
Sue, I’m confused. The reservoir was built after the 1961 bel air fires specifically to protect the palisades from wildfires. When did the reservoir switch to be a main source for drinking water? Further, if it is in fact used for drinking water, then I presume the flow of water filters through a different distribution system than one designed to feed the fire hydrant system? Just curious how this all works.
WE DESERVE TO SEE THE WATER. We will never get homeowner’s insurance again, with no water to fight fires from the reservoir. Oh, and we are just supposed to TRUST DWP that there is actually water in there when we can’t SEE IT?!!! Not a chance….
Smoke and Mirrors!
If it has sat empty but we have all had drinking water then it is clear we do not need more drinking water, we need more fire fighting water. And why can’t we use salt water? There is no lack of that, just rinse afterwards like we do for our outboard engines.