The Los Angeles Times had a story in today's edition about the city beginning to re-fill Silver Lake Reservoir on Wednesday.The reservoir got its first drink in months when officials turned on the water Wednesday to start the 20-day process of refilling its 600-million-gallon, clay-based shell.
The emptying of the reservoir began in January. Water officials said the action was necessary to eliminate contamination by bromate, a carcinogen formed by the interaction of sunlight, chlorine and natural bromides in groundwater.
Workers had spent the last few weeks cleaning the clay shell of debris and other matter.
The empty reservoir revealed hundreds of golf balls, articles of clothing and even one wedding ring -- a simple uninscribed gold band -- which is now being worn by one of the biologists who helps maintain the water.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power spokeswoman Terry Schneider said the goal is to replenish the basin for the summer demand of drinking water.
[An earlier post about the controversy about proposed changes to the reservoir and how the facility will be used in the future]
Photograph by Ken Hively, Los Angeles Times.
