LADWP advances San Ynez retrofit and $68.5m trunk line project amid $8bn capital rollout

LADWP advances San Ynez retrofit and $68.5m trunk line project amid $8bn capital rolloutThe Los Angeles utility is proceeding with immediate repairs to critical reservoir infrastructure while studying long-term storage options and executing its newly published water infrastructure strategy.

Construction on a new floating cover for the San Ynez Reservoir is expected to be completed by late fall 2026.

Long-term options under consideration for San Ynez include constructing tanks, hard covers, or new treatment facilities.

The utility highlighted its 2025-2026 Water Infrastructure Plan, which supports an $8 billion five-year capital expenditure program.

The Board approved the $68.5 million Cantara Trunk Line Replacement Project via consent.

Stormwater capture efforts have secured nearly 70,000 acre-feet of water for groundwater recharge.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is moving forward with a replacement of the floating cover at the San Ynez Reservoir, a project deemed a "short-term solution" while the utility evaluates major structural changes for the facility's future. Speaking at the board meeting on February 10, 2026, Water System Chief Operating Officer Anselmo Collins confirmed that the reservoir's existing cover, which has been in place for approximately 15 years, was compromised following fire damage. While the facility is currently back in service, the utility plans to install a new cover with an expected 20-year service life. Construction is slated for completion by late fall. "The long-term solution that we're looking at could be a combination of building tanks, putting hard covers on top of San Ynez, or building storage [and] building treatment," Collins told the commissioners. Staff are currently reviewing these options to present a future recommendation to the CEO. During the upcoming construction period, the reservoir will be taken offline. Collins noted that the utility is installing approximately six miles of lay-flat hose connecting the Corbin tank to the Temescal tank to ensure backup supply, alongside deployed emergency generators and water tankers. The project advances as LADWP publishes its 2025-2026 Water Infrastructure Plan. Collins highlighted that the document details the utility's roadmap supporting an "$8 billion 5-year capital expenditure" for the water system covering fiscal years 2026 through 2030. This investment represents an increase from prior $6 billion spending cycles and targets upgrades to over 7,300 miles of pipelines, alongside funding for local supply initiatives like Pure Water Los Angeles and groundwater remediation. The plan also emphasizes reliability, aiming to maintain a leak rate below the national average. In other infrastructure business, the Board approved the Cantara Trunk Line Replacement Project via its consent calendar. According to the meeting agenda, the construction cost for the project is estimated at $68.5 million. The commissioners also approved an amendment to a contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the North Haiwee Dam Seismic Improvement Project, maintaining the existing not-to-exceed amount of $12 million. On the supply side, Collins reported that the utility's snowpack is tracking at 100% of normal following early year storms. Stormwater capture efforts have secured nearly 70,000 acre-feet of water, recharging the San Fernando Valley groundwater basin—progress toward a long-term goal of capturing 150,000 acre-feet annually by 2035. However, Collins warned that Colorado River conditions remain challenging, noting that Lake Powell is currently at 26% capacity.