Palisades reservoir that was empty during fire is dry again. Residents aren't happy about it

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The Los Angeles reservoir that was notoriously empty during the 2025 Palisades fire has been drained once again as crews replace its floating cover, to the dismay of area residents who worry that there won’t be water available to fight wildfires.The Santa Ynez Reservoir stores drinking water for Pacific Palisades, and the $19.5-million project to replace its damaged cover is needed to ensure the water is safe to drink, according to the Department of Water and Power.But with warm weather and wildfire season ahead, community leaders would prefer to see a full reservoir even if the water isn’t suitable for drinking.“It’s a failure to recognize that there is value to this community to have the reservoir full,” said Maryam Zar, head of the Palisades Recovery Coalition.

“It’s incredible to me that after the experience we went through [with the Palisades fire] there is still no recognition that this reservoir should be filled to the gills, whether or not it’s potable.”The DWP announced the cover replacement project in January, saying the 15-year-old cover is damaged and needs to be replaced to comply with state and federal water quality regulations.The project is expected to be completed and the reservoir returned to service this fall.

DWP Chief Operating Officer Anselmo Collins said city officials would ensure aerial firefighting water sources remain available, including from the Encino and Stone Canyon open-air reservoirs.Collins said the cover, which spans roughly 10 acres, is to ensure safe, reliable drinking water and to maintain the facility while the department considers long-term options to replace the floating cover method.“We recognize the cover is not in the best shape possible,” he said, calling the replacement project a short to midterm fix.In 2024, the reservoir was drained for repairs to the cover, but construction hadn’t started before the Palis...