Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) confirmed hydrants were functional before Pacific Palisades wildfires.
In a Saturday statement, LADWP assured all fire hydrants in the Westside communities were “fully operational.”
“No power was lost to LADWP pump stations during the fire,” the department mentioned in its release.
Strong water supply to the area was maintained, even during the fire’s peak intensity, LADWP stated.
Water Pressure Issues Due to High Demand
Despite hydrants being operational, many hydrants faced suction pressure loss because of high water demand without aerial support.
Around 20% of hydrants lost pressure, affecting firefighting efforts in critical zones, according to the report.
LADWP dispatched potable water tankers to supplement water for fighting the raging wildfires.
“Unprecedented water demand caused pressure loss during critical firefighting,” the agency explained.
Reservoir Taken Out of Service
The Santa Ynez Reservoir was removed from service to comply with safe drinking water regulations, LADWP noted.
The department did not clarify if removing the reservoir impacted water supply during the emergency.
“To repair Santa Ynez, LADWP must adhere to competitive bidding rules,” requiring additional time, LADWP said.
Community members expressed concerns about the lack of reservoir resources during the widespread wildfires.
Governor Calls for Independent Investigation
Governor Gavin Newsom demanded an independent inquiry into why the Santa Ynez Reservoir was unavailable during the crisis.
“The loss of water pressure in some hydrants is deeply troubling,” Newsom stated in a letter shared Friday.
He also called for answers regarding the unavailable resources and delayed repairs to Santa Ynez Reservoir.
Newsom’s letter addressed community concerns and emphasized accountability during wildfire emergencies.
Addressing Future Emergencies
LADWP pledged efforts to improve resilience in water systems for future wildfire situations.
The agency stressed its commitment to serving the community amid challenging emergencies like the recent wildfires.
Governor Newsom promised transparent communication and stronger safeguards for water infrastructure going forward.
Improving water reliability remains crucial to protecting lives and communities during natural disasters.