LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2003 -- The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) on Monday sent water flowing through a new, five-mile long, 96-inch pipe that serves as the city's main water system artery.
Feeding water from the Los Angeles Reservoir to the households and businesses across Los Angeles, the pipe is among the largest of its kind and will replace a smaller, steel-riveted pipe that was constructed in 1913.
The multi-million dollar improvement project, breaking ground in August 2001 and installed in 500-foot increments along Sepulveda Boulevard between Rinaldi Street and Parthenia Street in the San Fernando Valley, will increase the capacity of the water system and deliver a more reliable and higher quality of water to thousands of customers in the San Fernando Valley and throughout Los Angeles.
"The installation of the new water line is an enormous undertaking that exemplifies the city's commitment to improving what is already the highest quality water ever provided to Los Angeles residents," said LADWP General Manager David Wiggs. "By making sound investments in our water system and replacing aging pipes with state of the art water lines, we are ensuring a reliable water supply for future generations."
The new main line replaces a pipeline that was constructed when the City first started receiving water from the Van Norman Reservoir in the beginning of the 20th century. The project signifies the city's commitment to upgrading an aging infrastructure and improving reliability though ongoing investments.
"Many of the pipelines in the city's system were installed during the Calvin Coolidge administration," said LADWP Assistant General Manager for Water Services Jerry Gewe. "The new main line will not only supply residents with a more reliable water supply, but will extend the capacity and efficiency of water served to almost four million residents and business on a daily basis."
The completed project also marks LADWP's continued compliance with new state and federal water quality regulations for open reservoirs in California under the Surface Water Treatment Rule. The Department continues to move forward toward a centralized water system that bypasses open reservoirs and supplies residents with filtered water straight from the Los Angeles Filtration Plant in Sylmar.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power serves more than 3.8 million people in Los Angeles and was established to provide reliable water and electric needs to the city's businesses and residents. Further information regarding the Department can be obtained on their website www.ladwp.com.
