The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has made significant progress in addressing fire hydrant repairs following a delay in receiving inspection results from the L.A. Fire Department. This issue came to light after the Palisades fire when it was discovered that the LAFD had not properly transmitted crucial data to the DWP, causing a delay in necessary repairs to fire hydrants flagged for maintenance.
LAFD, responsible for inspecting 66,000 fire hydrants annually, identified 1,350 hydrants in need of repair during its 2024 inspection. However, the inspection results were not relayed to DWP until February 14, highlighting a gap in communication between the two departments. DWP Chief Executive Janisse Quiñones expressed surprise at the discrepancies in the reports received in August and February, signaling the urgency of the situation.
Upon receiving the list of 1,350 hydrants in need of repair, DWP mobilized its crews to address the issues promptly. According to Ellen Cheng, a DWP spokesperson, as of Tuesday, the utility had successfully resolved 1,289 hydrants. Among these, 148 hydrants were replaced, 805 underwent minor repairs, and 6 required water to be turned on at a nearby valve. Surprisingly, 186 hydrants initially thought to be damaged were found to be in working condition, while 143 hydrants were privately owned, falling outside DWP’s jurisdiction for repairs.
During the Palisades fire, firefighters faced challenges due to low water pressure, raising concerns about the impact of damaged hydrants. While the exact role of these hydrants remains uncertain, the situation underscored the importance of timely repairs and maintenance to ensure public safety.
Following the incident, LAFD has implemented changes to its notification process for damaged hydrants, aiming to improve communication and prevent future delays in repairs. DWP’s Joe Ramallo highlighted that fire inspectors now provide updated lists of hydrants in need of repairs every one to two weeks based on recent inspections, with approximately 300 hydrants currently flagged for ongoing maintenance.
Moving forward, DWP and LAFD are collaborating on a new quality control process to streamline communication and prevent similar issues in the future. Janisse Quiñones and interim LAFD Chief Ronnie Villanueva are working closely to ensure that inspection data is promptly shared, allowing for swift action on necessary repairs to safeguard the community.
The successful resolution of fire hydrant repairs by DWP underscores the importance of efficient communication and collaboration between city departments to maintain vital infrastructure and ensure public safety. As ongoing inspections continue to identify hydrants in need of repair, the commitment to proactive maintenance remains crucial in upholding the integrity of essential services for all residents.
