In January, wildfires swept through Altadena and Pacific Palisades, causing widespread destruction. Thousands of homes were lost, and critical infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, suffered severe damage. The impact was especially hard on smaller water systems in the area.
A recent study from UCLA highlighted the extent of the damage. In Altadena, the fires affected 79% of the Rubio Cañon Land & Water Association’s service area and 88% of Las Flores Water Company’s territory. In contrast, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which serves about 4 million people, saw less than 5% of its area impacted.
Gregory Pierce, co-director of UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, noted that these fires challenged the limits of water infrastructure, both physically and financially. “We need to think about redesigning systems that are more integrated and resilient to future crises,” he said.
Researchers from UCLA, along with colleagues from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and the consulting firm Stantec, examined the effects of the Palisades and Eaton fires on 11 community water systems, two sewer systems, and numerous private wells and septic systems in Los Angeles County. The county has around 200 community water systems, many of which serve under 1,000 customers.
Pierce pointed out that smaller systems often struggle financially, and rebuilding after the fires only adds to their challenges. Some of these systems, including Las Flores and Lincoln Avenue Water Company, have banded together to address post-fire recovery efforts.
The report indicates that recovery is ongoing, but the fires have sparked important discussions about the resilience of drinking water and wastewater systems. The researchers emphasized the need for sustained support from local, state, and federal sources to ensure these systems can adapt and remain financially viable.
The demographics of the affected areas reveal that many of the communities with damaged water systems have higher incomes and homeownership rates compared to the county average. However, several systems impacted by the Eaton fire serve areas with significant Black populations, including Las Flores (37%), Lincoln Avenue (30%), and Rubio Cañon (11%).
Despite the availability of federal and state funds, local water systems may still rely heavily on their own resources to cover repair costs. These systems already had high water rates before the fires, and the rebuilding process will likely lead to even higher rates in the future, raising concerns about affordability for residents.
As recovery continues, experts warn that the financial burden on these smaller water systems could lead to significant rate increases, making it harder for residents to afford water services. The situation remains critical as communities work to restore their essential infrastructure.