The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has committed to inspecting nearly 100 drinking water reservoirs and storage tanks, as well as cleaning more than 50 of them. This agreement is part of a consent order with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed at addressing violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. LADWP operates the second-largest water system in the United States, serving around 3.8 million residents in the Los Angeles area.
"Public water systems must properly maintain their infrastructure to ensure that the water flowing out of their customers’ taps continues to be safe," said Amy Miller, Director of EPA Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. "EPA’s priority is to make sure LADWP promptly addresses these vulnerabilities to protect the millions who depend on this system."
An inspection by the EPA in July 2024 found maintenance issues such as unprotected openings and irregular cleaning and inspection schedules in LADWP's reservoirs and storage tanks. These problems could lead to contamination if not resolved. Since then, LADWP has inspected and cleaned 13 reservoirs and made improvements to its maintenance program.
Under the consent order, LADWP is required to complete inspections of nearly 100 reservoirs by December 31, 2031. They must also address any deficiencies found during inspections and clean over 50 reservoirs where there are documentation gaps or long intervals since the last cleaning. These actions aim to enhance long-term reliability and safeguard public health.
