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The reservoir that was infamously empty during the Palisades Fire is dry again. The 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir was recently drained due to an effort to replace its floating cover. It’s part of a 19-and-a-half-million-dollar project Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials say is needed to ensure the quality of drinking water. A tear in the protective cover was why the reservoir was empty ahead of the deadly fire in January of 2025. This time, it will be out of service until the Fall, meaning the area will be without a key water resource through the summer fire season. Many community leaders say having a full reservoir is more important than the water being suitable for drinking.
