A key piece of water infrastructure in fire-stricken Altadena is back online, as the 4.1-million-gallon Allen Reservoir has returned to full service following repairs tied to damage from the Eaton Fire.
That restoration means additional storage capacity is once again available for customers in Altadena and Pasadena, helping support reliable water pressure and emergency fire flow when the system is under stress.
Here's what to know
Built in the 1930s, the Allen Reservoir is a partially buried, concrete-lined storage facility that has now returned to full operation after fire-related repairs, Pasadena officials announced Aug. 17, according to MyNewsLA.
To keep water service going during the project, Pasadena Water and Power left half of the reservoir in operation while crews added new structural components, rebuilt sections of the interior catwalk and handrail, and replaced aging drain valves.
Before the reservoir resumed full service, crews cleaned and disinfected it after construction was finished.
Restoring the reservoir helps strengthen the local system's ability to maintain pressure and deliver water during periods of peak demand or emergencies.
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More background
Pasadena Water and Power operates 14 reservoirs across its 26-square-mile service area and supplies more than 165,000 California residents. The utility is also Altadena's largest water provider, making Allen Reservoir one part of a much larger network that must remain resilient during and after extreme weather events.
Fires not only threaten homes and natural areas — they can also damage the infrastructure communities rely on every day, including water storage and delivery systems. When that happens, utilities must balance urgent repairs with the need to keep service running.
What's being done?
Pasadena included the Allen Reservoir work among several water infrastructure projects highlighted Aug. 17.
Pasadena Water and Power completed water main replacement projects along Fair Oaks Avenue, Oak Knoll Avenue, Holly Street, Villa Street, and Grand Avenue.
More work is planned or already underway on portions of Villa Street, Colorado Boulevard, and Wallis Street.
"Continued investment in our water infrastructure is important to reliable, high-quality water service, and we appreciate the community's patience and partnership during the construction work," Pasadena Water and Power General Manager David Reyes said.
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