As Fire Season Approaches, LADWP Dedicates New Griffith Park Water System; LAFD Helicopters Will Help to Demonstrate Improved Capabilities.

News Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2004

As summer approaches and the demand for water increases, City officials today dedicated the new Griffith Park Water System that will ensure a reliable supply of high quality water for one of the world's most popular parks. The new system becomes operational in time to provide fire protection to the park and its surrounding areas during the Southland's fire season.

City Councilman Tom LaBonge was joined by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Griffith Park Resource Board and the Los Feliz Improvement Association in dedicating the new water system and turning it over to the LADWP from Recreation and Parks. LADWP designed, built and will own and operate the new system.

"We've anticipated this day for decades when we would have a state-of-the-art water delivery service for Griffith Park," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge. "Now, if we have a fire, we'll have more than sufficient water supplies and pressure -- an issue before this project was completed -- and far superior capabilities to deliver water on a regular basis for irrigation and other park purposes."

To emphasize the new system's increased reliability for fire protection, the Fire Department demonstrated a helicopter water drop during the dedication ceremony. LADWP's water system will remedy the problem of low water pressure and deficient supply for fire fighting that was caused by undersized or corroded water mains and an inability to refill storage tanks at the park.

"The new water system at Griffith Park is the result of a collaboration between city officials, city departments and neighborhood associations," said Mayor Hahn. "Working together, we developed a system that promotes public safety, protects the park and preserves a wonderful system for visitors and local residents."

"This project took some time to accomplish but it is a natural fit for the LADWP to be responsible for operating and maintaining the water system at Griffith Park," said Frank Salas, LADWP acting general manager. "The new system is the result of a successful joint effort between City Departments and the community, and I believe it is something we owe to the residents and businesses surrounding Griffith Park and to the park's visitors and staff."

"The successful completion of this vital water project allows our Department confidence in our efforts to maintain and safeguard this great urban park for generations to come," said Jon Kirk Mukri, Department of Recreation and Parks general manager.

The Griffith Park water system was independently built and was owned and operated by Recreation and Parks. It was the largest water system in the city that was not operated by LADWP. With some of its water tanks dating as far back as 1928, the antiquated system was in constant need of repair. The system's deterioration made the park susceptible to water quality problems, deficient pressure for fire fighting and insufficient supply. As the park's cultural facilities, amenities and number of visitors increased, its water system proved to be insufficient.

The inadequacy of Griffith Park's water system and the threat of compromised fire protection for the park and nearby residents and businesses became a growing concern for city leaders. Chief Legislative Officer Ron Deaton and the late City Councilman John Ferraro actively pursued the refurbishing of the park's water system to meet state drinking water standards and to provide a more reliable source of water.

Following City leadership on this project, a joint task force was formed. It was comprised of the City's Departments of Water and Power, and Recreation and Parks, and the Fire Department, along with the Los Feliz Improvement Association.

The joint committee approved and endorsed LADWP's plan to reconstruct Griffith Park's water system and strengthen both the park's and DWP's system with a re-worked design. The plan also called for turning over ownership and management of the system to LADWP.

The LADWP began the $35 million reconstruction project in 1998 by installing approximately 95,000 linear feet of distribution pipes, 185 fire hydrants and one new water tank -- the Los Feliz Tank. The utility is currently designing the rehabilitation of the Zoo Pump Station, which is expected to be constructed beginning next year. The plans also call for LADWP to replace Travel Town and Crystal Springs Pump Stations, build two new tanks and booster pump stations, rehabilitate two existing tanks and install an additional 25,000 feet of pipe at the park.

Griffith Park, donated to the citizens of Los Angeles in 1896 by Griffith J. Griffith, has more than 10 million visitors each year. The park is home to the world-famous Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Autry Museum of Western Heritage, the Greek Theater and the Travel Town Museum. It is the birthplace of the municipal golf course systems in the nation, and encompasses 4,200 acres of hillsides, greenbelts and trails. For more information on the park, visit laparks.org/grifmet/Griffith.htm.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was established more than a century ago to provide water and electricity to the city's businesses and residents. For more information, visit www.ladwp.com.