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1/17/2025
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@watertoday.ca
January 17, 2025 420 pm PST
Limitations of municipal drinking water storage and distribution
Streamflow Situation from the network of US Geological Survey in California
Water levels no longer run above 90th percentile in the North Coastal watershed, the streamflow monitors have been recording seasonal normal to below normal flows statewide, the lower values showing up around Los Angeles Watershed region 4, Colorado River and upper Lahontan watersheds in the interior continue below normal to low.
Arroyo Seco monitored near Pasadena retains the extreme low flow level as noted yesterday. The first percentile value provides less than one cubic foot per second. California Data Exchange Center shows the reservoir storage levels throughout the state above the seasonal average.
According to the spokesperson for Metro Water District of Southern California, raw water for Los Angeles originates in Northern California and/or the Colorado River. Colorado River water levels have been on the low end of the scale for months, however, the north coastal region 1 watershed flow levels have been much above seasonal normal for at least a month prior to the outbreak of the wildfires with ample storage, well above historic average in the northern reservoirs. That being said, peak usage of municipal drinking water is set for full usage at normal domestic demand levels. Potable water storage reservoirs are not scaled for widespread fire suppression, the fire hydrants are not designed to be fully open all at once. Fire hydrants are connected to municipal potable water in most cases. As an example of peak water demand depleting and overwhelming a municipal distribution system, consider freeze events. Where exposed water lines are vulnerable to freezing, rate-payers are often advised to leave faucets partially open, all the taps dripping at once to avoid bursting pipes in freezing scenarios. In these cases, the demand on the system causes a drop in water pressure, forcing these systems into a precautionary boil water advisory. In the case of widespread fires, all the water connections fully open at once most certainly will drain capacity and deplete the stored water in the local reservoirs. This is why water bomber aircraft are using sea water to fight the wildfires, in spite of the negative impacts of saltwater on the equipment and environment.
See Los Angeles County list of the drinking water notices, here. Scroll down to Water Alerts.
See the Do not Drink notice and frequently asked questions, here.
Bottled Water Distribution
Los Angeles County is distributing bottled water, as is LADWP, with distribution sites listed, here.
Check here for water distribution sites for the Foothill Municipal Water District, here.
Looking for a way to help?
Wildfire Recovery and Resilience Resources, WAYS TO STAY SAFE. WAYS TO HELP, here.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Boil water advisories issued for Pasadena, Malibu, Palisades and Pasadena Boil Water Advisories have been upgraded to Do Not Consume advisories due to debris and harmful chemicals that may have entered the water lines for tap water. All residents are urged to use bottled water until further notice.
Pasadena Water and Power serves a population of 161,162, according to the 2024 Annual Water Quality report, supplied with groundwater from the Raymond Basin aquifer, and with surface water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Air Quality Advisories
The South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley have been under Air Quality alerts with a no-burn order in effect for weeks prior to the outbreak of wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The following warning statements from the National Weather Service relate to air quality concerns.
Cleaning up ash can be harmful for your health. See California
Department of Public Health Guidelines for the safe cleanup of ash, here.
See South Coast Air Quality Management District website, here to view current and forecast air quality levels in the South Coast Air Basin and Coachella Valley.
View current and forecast air quality levels in the High Desert of San Bernardino County, here.
View current and forecast air quality levels in the High Desert of Los Angeles County, here.
To view current and forecast air quality levels in San Diego County, here.
Additional details may be available, here.
For more information, readyforwildfire.org, here.
See wildfirerisk.org, here.
Streamflow Situation from the network of US Geological Survey in California
Water levels continue above normal to much above normal through the North Coast and northern Central Valley watershed regions midweek, normal to above normal water levels monitored in the rivers and streams all the way down the coast, including the Los Angeles watershed. A mix of ratings from low to normal is observed in the interior Colorado River watershed, moderate drought through Colorado River watershed and south Lahontan River watershed. NWS has no rain forecast this week.
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