LADWP Clears Portions of Palisades for Safe Water

Unified Utilities Rebuild Operations Center Opens at Palisades Recreation Center

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Portions of Pacific Palisades have been cleared and notified that their water is now safe for drinking after the Palisades fire—with additional zones anticipated to be cleared as soon as this week, according to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Director of Water Quality Division Jonathan Leung.

The cleared portions include zip code 90402 and portions of 90272: areas east of Temescal Canyon Road and south of Bestor Boulevard in the LADWP service area.

A “Do Not Drink, Do Not Boil” notification was issued on January 10 due to the potential of wildfire contaminants. LADWP announced on February 25 that these precautions were no longer necessary in some zones, “as stringent testing of the water quality confirms that all drinking water standards are being achieved for this area.”

“To protect against wildfire-related contaminants, [LADWP] implemented a comprehensive flushing and testing plan, which was approved by the State Water Resources Control Board—Division of Drinking Water,” according to LADWP. “In accordance with this plan, LADWP has been conducting thorough flushing, sampling and water quality testing of the water distribution system in the Palisades area.”

The SWRCB-DDW confirmed on February 24 that all standards for drinking water quality had been achieved. This means residents within these areas can use water for baby formula and juice, bathing, hand-washing, washing dishes, making ice, and food preparation.

Leung announced during a town hall on March 4 hosted by Mayor Karen Bass that additional samples “continue to point” in the “right directions,” with a “major announcement” that could be ready as soon as March 6 or 7 regarding water quality in the rest of the Palisades area.

The department has launched a map where residents can search a specific address to see if it falls within the LADWP No Not Drink, Do Not Boil notice area.

LADWP also announced the establishment of a Unified Utilities Rebuild Operations Center at Palisades Recreation Center, which opened on Saturday, March 1.

At the operations center, customers impacted by the Palisades fire have access to LADWP services to help them rebuild, turn on and off water and power services, and receive answers to questions. Other utility services provided by corporate and government partners are also slated to offer services at the center.

“LADWP crews have worked around the clock since the Palisades fire to restore power to the Palisades area,” LADWP Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones said in a statement. “The opening of UUROC is the next phase in LADWP’s commitment to serve our customers in the rebuilding of the community. We want to be easily accessible to our customers who are already dealing with so much as they begin to rebuild their homes and businesses.”

The operations center is in the small gym at 851 Alma Real Drive. It is currently open Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit ladwp.com/palisades.