The Department of Water and Power (DWP) explains that the extensive project is necessary to replace a 15-year-old floating cover on the Santa Ynez Reservoir. This replacement ensures the drinking water for Pacific Palisades meets state and federal quality standards. DWP officials acknowledge the community's concern, especially given the tragic 2025 Palisades fire where the reservoir was unavailable. They state that the cover must be installed while the reservoir is empty, and filling it with non-potable water would only cause further delays.

However, community leaders like Maryam Zar of the Palisades Recovery Coalition argue that the DWP is failing to recognize the critical value of a full reservoir for fire safety, regardless of whether the water is potable. They recall the harrowing experience of the 2025 fire, which destroyed nearly 7,000 structures and caused 12 fatalities, with firefighters losing crucial water pressure in the hills during the blaze. The reservoir was indeed "empty on the one day it was needed most," as City Councilmember Traci Park noted at the time.

While a state report published late last year later suggested a full reservoir wouldn't have completely averted disaster due to immense demand, residents like Zar firmly believe that even a small amount of water made a significant difference for homes that were saved. To address fire season concerns, DWP Chief Operating Officer Anselmo Collins confirms that other aerial firefighting water sources, such as the Encino and Stone Canyon reservoirs, remain available. Additionally, the DWP is installing six miles of new piping to provide a backup water supply for both drinking and emergencies in the Palisades. This ongoing debate underscores the vital need for robust and responsive infrastructure in the face of increasing wildfire threats, emphasizing that proactive and sustainable water management is key to community safety.