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Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu got to the meat of the matter in his opening comments saying, “The most important thing is the Silver Lake Reservoir will be refilled.” A standing room only crowd packed into Micheltorena Street Elementary School to hear Ryu, Councilman Mitch O’Farrell and representatives of the DWP address the future of Silver Lake Reservoir.
Following Ryu’s opening comment, Marty Adams, director of Water Operations at the DPW said, “We are committed to putting water back in the reservoir.” But three remaining questions – exactly where the water will come from, how much of the reservoir will be refilled and when could Silver Lake residents expect the reservoir to be refilled – consumed the remainder of the meeting.
Adams indicated that he expected the reservoir to be refilled around May of next year. The reservoir was emptied a year ago in order to disconnect it from the drinking water supply and then construct a massive pipeline along the reservoir’s bed to carry drinking water to downtown Los Angeles.
Various sources of water are now being considered for use in refilling the lake. Existing pipelines in the area are used to carry treated water from the Los Angeles Glendale Wastewater Treatment Plant could be used to carry water to the reservoir. This is the recycled water used to water the Griffith Park golf courses and other nearby sites. Although it is the most readily available water and the least expensive option, it would still cost a few million dollars to connect the plumbing to carry the recycled water to the lake. Additionally, the pipelines will both cycle water in and out of the lake so the water does not become stagnant which would lead to the growth of bacteria and algae.
Adams also said other potential source of water for the lake would be captured and treated stormwater runoff or possibly groundwater from a well near the Los Angeles River. Water directly from the Los Angeles river is less likely alternative due to a lengthy permitting process.
Susan Rowghani, DWP’s director of water engineering and technical service, presented a timeline for the construction within the lakebed. Although they anticipate construction will be done by the end of the year, they don’t expect to refill the lake until new pipeline to fill the lake is completed.
As for how much of the reservoir will be refilled, questions still remain. Previously the lake was up to a maximum of 450 feet above sea level. Officials say they may refill the lake to a specified height and then review options for how much higher they want to go. Silver Lake and neighboring Ivanhoe Reservoir will need to comply with new federal guidelines that require underground storage facilities to be covered.
Thursday’s meeting was the first of three town hall meetings regarding the reservoir. The Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy, represented by Leslie Edmonds, said they had received some 8o survey responses about the lake. The most popular response was for the refilling of the lake. Following that residents want better access to the lake and to ensure that the improvements were well maintained.
Councilman Farrell spoke of possibly opening up the south end of the fenced-off lake and doing away with the “tiger stripe” on the asphalt bank. When mentioning the possibility of turning the reservoir into a park the meeting became contentious and shouting broke out. Fellow councilman Ryu committed to lengthy public discussions saying, “I’m sure (meeting) number two is going to be really exciting.”
