Worries could hurry reservoir protection

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- A years-long effort to cover the city’s reservoir may

be sped up as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks.

City staff are looking for ways to pay the estimated $4-million cost

of covering the Big Canyon Reservoir in Corona del Mar. The process was

already underway when the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon

prompted City Councilman John Heffernan’s concern.

“With the Sept. 11 events, I question whether we want to speed the

covering of the reservoir along,” Heffernan said.

The security concerns Heffernan pointed out in September add just one

more reason to cover the 196-gallon reservoir, City Manager Homer Bludau

said.

“It would probably have the benefit of extra protection in a

disaster,” Bludau said. “Mainly, it would affect our treatment with

chlorine and also help with problems like birds flying over and ducks

landing in the water.”

The city now routinely adds chlorine to the water to treat

contaminants from wildlife and other natural causes. Bludau said covering

the water would reduce or eliminate the amount of chlorine stored and

used at the site.

“It’s kind of dangerous stuff to have around,” he said.

City staff are working with Rep. Chris Cox to find money for the

cover, which could come from state or federal sources. The cover would

probably be made of a flexible plastic or similar material in a neutral

color.

The reservoir, which is operated by the city, supplies tap water to

Newport Beach. About 75% of its water comes from city wells in Fountain

Valley and nearby. The San Joaquin Reservoir, which is in unincorporated

county area likely to be annexed by the city, is empty. The Irvine Ranch

Water District operates that reservoir and is seeking approval to store

reclaimed water there.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .