Water Ban to End, Power Lines to be Buried in Palisades as Recovery Efforts Accelerate

Officials outlined the record-setting removal of hazardous debris and unprecedented utility restoration

Nearly two months after wildfires devastated the Pacific Palisades, Mayor Karen Bass announced Thursday that the city will lift the “Do Not Drink” water notice on Friday, marking a major milestone in one of the fastest recovery efforts in California history.

The announcement, made at the city’s new Unified Utilities Rebuild Operations Center, comes as power and water restoration efforts have significantly outpaced initial expectations. Officials also highlighted rapid progress in debris removal, hazard mitigation, and infrastructure rebuilding, all aimed at expediting the return of displaced residents.

“In the two months since the devastating fires broke out, we’ve made historic progress in rebuilding,” Bass said. “Water and power have been restored, and last week, we completed Phase 1 of the debris removal process – both months ahead of expectations. We’re leading the fastest recovery effort in modern California history, and we won’t stop until this community is made whole.”

Key Recovery Milestones

City officials outlined several major recovery efforts, including the record-setting removal of hazardous debris and unprecedented utility restoration. The first phase of debris clearing, which typically takes several months, was completed in just 28 days, removing more than 300 tons of hazardous materials.

In comparison, recovery efforts from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, took over a year to restore clean drinking water. In the Palisades, water and power have been reinstated in under 60 days, allowing for the gradual return of residents to standing homes.

“We know that this recovery process isn’t just about rebuilding structures; it’s about making sure people can return home safely and as soon as possible,” said Councilwoman Traci Park. “This is a critical step in that process.”

Infrastructure and Policy Changes

As part of the rebuild, the city has committed to undergrounding power lines in the Palisades, reinforcing burn areas against potential landslides, and expediting the rebuilding process for homeowners. Officials also detailed new city ordinances aimed at protecting residents, including a temporary ban on residential evictions for those housing wildfire survivors and restrictions on price gouging for essential services.

Additionally, four new Impacted Worker and Family Recovery Centers have opened to provide financial assistance, job placement services, and youth programs to affected residents.

Preparing for Water Use

With the lifting of the water ban, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has advised residents to flush their plumbing systems before resuming regular water use. Residents are encouraged to remove faucet aerators, flush outside and indoor plumbing, and run appliances like dishwashers and washing machines on an empty cycle to clear any residual contamination.

LADWP crews will continue testing water quality to ensure safety, and officials have emphasized their commitment to long-term resiliency planning for utilities in the region.

in Hard, News
Related Posts

Pacific Park Ferris Wheel to Glow with 90-Foot American Flag for Labor Day

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

The tribute will feature the Ferris wheel’s 174,000 LED lights in a custom computer-generated show of red, white, and blue...

Metro Renames Station to Honor Son Heung-min’s LAFC Home Debut

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

The 7:45 p.m. match against San Diego offers fans a chance to skip traffic and parking woes by taking the...

State Launches Task Force to Tackle Homeless Encampments

August 30, 2025

August 30, 2025

The task force, comprising multiple state agencies, will target encampments along state rights-of-way in California’s 10 largest cities Gov. Gavin...

Santa Monica Historic District Tour Showcases Early 20th Century Bungalows

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The Third Street Walk, led by Conservancy board president Mario Fonda-Bonardi, will highlight the architectural and historical significance of the...

State Bill to Boost Insurance Payments for Disaster Victims Advances

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The legislation addresses challenges faced by survivors of recent disasters, such as the LA Fires, who have struggled with the...

Newsom Signs Order to Protect Clean Energy Projects Amid Federal Rollbacks

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The order aims to secure federal tax credits for clean energy projects before they expire due to HR 1, dubbed...

Rebuilding the Palisades: Choose Zoie Brook Designs for Your Rebuilding Needs

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Many families in the Pacific Palisades are rebuilding and restarting this year. After a fiery tragedy crossed miles across the...

Muscle Beach Championship Returns to Venice on Labor Day

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

The event will feature competitions across categories including bodybuilding, bikini, men’s physique, classic physique, angel bikini, and couples The iconic...

Santa Monica’s E-Bike Voucher Program Marks One-Year Milestone

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

A city blog post highlighted personal impacts, with one family avoiding a second car purchase for a commute to Burbank,...

Final Debris Removal Completed in Palisades, Marking End of Months-Long Cleanup

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

The effort, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under FEMA’s direction, cleared over 1 million tons of hazardous...

City Council Bans “Disaster Tours” in Fire-Ravaged Palisades

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

The Department of Transportation will install signs at entry points prohibiting vehicles over 6,000 pounds, a limit most tour buses...

Westside Classics Car Show Set to Roll into Venice Beach

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

The show will feature a curated lineup of vintage sedans, low-slung cruisers, and unique custom builds The Westside Classics Car...

Raising Cane’s Plans New Location on 3rd Street Promenade

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

The move marks the chain’s latest expansion in California Louisiana-based fast-food chain Raising Cane’s confirmed to the Santa Monica Mirror...

(Video) Public Transit Returns to Pacific Palisades

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

The Return is Part of a Broader Summer Overhaul, Aiming to Boost Connectivity Across the Westside Public Transit Returns to...

Vittorio’s Pizza Relocating to Canyon Square After Palisades Wildfire

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

The fire reduced the restaurant to ashes, erasing 40 years of memories and leaving 16 families without their primary income...