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# City water cleans up
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/city-water-cleans-up/
- Published: 2006-09-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:24:00.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*City Hall is now working to protect its residents in case of an emergency.*

After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Santa Monica’s water supply took a hit. The city’s water infrastructure was proven vulnerable in the wake of a major earthquake. Twelve years later, officials are preparing for future dangers with what’s known as the Water Infrastructure Reliability Project.

Groundwater supplies helped to ensure the city’s operation after the 1994 quake. However, groundwater contamination in 1996 has left nine of the city’s 11 water wells closed.

So in the event of an earthquake, Santa Monica would be reliant upon the 40 million gallons of treated water that is stored in four reservoirs. That much water would only sustain the community for approximately four days or even less, if the water was used for fire fighting. City officials will look into the possibility of a new 20 million-gallon reservoir to protect against such limited reliance.

The project also will replace old and deteriorating water mains, some of which are cast iron and up to 60 years old. Such piping would not remain intact after a moderate or major earthquake. The upgrade will ease water quality problems, as well as engineering inefficiencies, city staff said.

In total, the undertaking is estimated to cost $990,600, more than $500,000 of which comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 12, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091206.pdf?ref=smdp.com)