DWP Plans Replacement Cover for Santa Ynez Reservoir Amid Resident Concerns

In Pacific Palisades, the Department of Water and Power (DWP) has announced a replacement cover for the Santa Ynez Reservoir, a water source that was offline during the devastating Palisades Fire in January. The fire destroyed more than 6,800 structures and claimed 12 lives, leaving residents wary of any changes to the reservoir.

Replacement Cover Project

DWP has placed an order for a new floating cover and is currently in the planning and procurement stages. The department expects to conduct public outreach and establish contingency measures before beginning work in early 2026. According to a statement from DWP, “Santa Ynez Reservoir will remain in service until the new cover is ready, the community is informed, the contractor is ready and contingency measures are in place.”

Ensuring Continuous Service

The reservoir was offline at the start of the year because its floating cover had tears. Emergency repairs completed in June allowed the reservoir to be filled to its normal operating level and return to service. DWP officials say the new cover will provide stronger resilience, protect water quality, and ensure continued compliance with drinking water standards and regulations. They added, “Proactively replacing the cover is an important interim step to avoid unexpected tears to the repaired cover that could force the reservoir out of service. It is far better to plan with contingencies in place, than to have more tears develop.”

Collaboration with City Partners

DWP is working closely with partners such as the Los Angeles Fire Department to guarantee redundant water supplies throughout the replacement project. State laws mandate the protection of open reservoirs, and city officials noted that the previous cover’s tears had forced the reservoir offline. While emergency repairs restored service, a permanent fix—such as a hard concrete structure—is still needed. DWP is repairing the cover again and planning a permanent solution.

Resident Concerns and City Leadership

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, expressed frustration over the floating cover’s repeated failures. She stated, “The one we have now has already been damaged, repaired and damaged again. The long‑term solution is a permanent cover, but that is still several years away.” Park added, “After what the Palisades went through last year, it’s completely understandable that residents are alarmed by any news involving the Santa Ynez Reservoir. As we continue to struggle with failing infrastructure, this is yet another reminder of why we must urgently invest in modernizing our city and expanding our public safety resources.”

Key Takeaways

• DWP plans to replace the Santa Ynez Reservoir’s floating cover, targeting early 2026 for project start.
• The reservoir was offline during the 2023 Palisades Fire, which destroyed over 6,800 structures and killed 12 people.
• A permanent concrete cover is still several years away, but emergency repairs and a new floating cover will keep the reservoir in service.

The replacement cover project reflects DWP’s commitment to maintaining reliable water supplies while addressing infrastructure concerns raised by residents and city officials after the devastating Palisades Fire.