Recently, Next Door and other social media platforms lit up with reports that LADWP was
poised to vote on a resolution to not refill decommissioned reservoirs with water from any
source, which would lead to the Silver Lake Reservoirs and others going dry. SLT
investigated and found that a resolution introduced by LADWP Commissioner Mia Lehrer
was pulled from the agenda of the May 9 DWP Board Of Commissioners meeting and the
rumor was false.
According to a source at the city, "The goal of the LADWP is to maintain a healthy water
level of the Silver Lake Reservoirs when possible. But if our region is faced with 'extreme
drought conditions,' the evaporating water will not be replaced.”
LADWP is supporting clarifying language in the new draft of the master plan EIR stating
that decommissioned reservoirs will not be refilled during extreme drought conditions until
conditions allow for refilling.
The aeration and recirculation project that is in progress at the reservoirs will continue.
The project is said to cost millions of dollars and is expected to be complete in 2025. The
reservoirs have already been re-piped to bring water from the Pollock Wells.
Lehrer, the author of the pulled resolution that would prohibit the DWP from refilling the
reservoirs lost her firm’s bid to draft the new SLRC Master Plan. Many community
members feel she is not taking into consideration urban wildlife and migratory birds which
rely on the water in the reservoirs and the residents who rely on the restorative beauty the
complex provides.