Los Angeles commences work on second phase of Headworks Underground Reservoir project

Los Angeles city officials began construction on phase two of the $230m Headworks Underground Reservoir project.

Once completed, the Headworks Underground Reservoir facility will be the largest in the western US, with a capacity to store up to 110 million gallons of water.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and state water quality officials were present at the ceremony of the second phase of the underground reservoir project.

The latest technology and design of the reservoir will support LADWP’s aim to better manage the reliability and quality of the stored water.

Located between the 134 and 5 freeways, near Griffith Park, the new reservoir, Headworks West, will be a replacement of the underground storage once provided by the Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs.

Garcetti said: "The time to invest in the next generation of water infrastructure is now, and we are seizing the moment.

"Our City needs to make sure that there is water for future generations. We must create more local storage, and I am proud to say that we are putting shovel to dirt on this landmark project."

Headworks West, the second phase of the larger Headworks Reservoir project, will allow Los Angeles to move water from the Silver Lake and Ivanhoe reservoirs.

Scheduled to be completed in 2018, Headworks West will also help the Californian city meet state and federal water quality compliance deadlines.

LADWP general manager Marcie Edwards said: "This project is an example of the many infrastructure improvements we are undertaking throughout the city in order to continue providing our customers with reliable, quality water well into the future.

"It is one of the vital components in our efforts to replace aging infrastructure, meet our regulatory obligations to ensure the finest drinking water for our customers, and ensure the reliability of our water service."

The reservoir location will also feature a four-megawatt hydroelectric power plant.

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Image: The new project will help LADWP manage the reliability and quality of the stored water. Photo: courtesy of lamayor.org.