City closes Big Canyon Reservoir

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Tiny, worm-like midge fly larvae in tap water in some

parts of the city have caused officials to stop all water service from

Big Canyon Reservoir.

After residents reported seeing what appeared to be worms in their tap

water and toilets, city officials on Feb. 25 began supplying water to all

homes and businesses directly from the Metropolitan Water District.

The fly larvae -- measuring about a 16th to an eighth of an inch long

-- are harmless, though unpleasant, officials said. Translucent and

smaller than a grain of rice, they are difficult to see.

“From time to time, this can happen at an uncovered reservoir,” said

Pete Anista, the city’s utilities director. “There’s no real way to get

rid of them. We’ve added chlorine, and we’re hoping that they will run

their cycle.”

Anista said water supply from the reservoir will not be resumed until

after the larvae are eliminated.

The reservoir normally supplies water to most parts of the city,

including Corona del Mar, Balboa Peninsula, Newport Heights and the

airport area. Until recently, about three-quarters of the reservoir’s

water originated from city wells in Fountain Valley and nearby. In

January, the wells were shut down after the potentially dangerous

chemical Dioxane 1,4 was found in them.

The city’s push to cover the reservoir has been stalemated in

Washington for months as city officials have been looking for ways to

help pay the $4.2-million cost of a soft plastic cover for the reservoir.

Most recently, city officials have been trying to solicit the help of

Rep. Chris Cox to obtain federal funding.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, City Councilman John Heffernan

asked staff to prioritize finding ways to pay for the cover, but so far

no funding help has been found.

“In light of recent homeland security issues, we’re hoping this can

qualify for homeland security funding,” City Manager Homer Bludau said

Monday.

The San Joaquin Hills reservoir also experienced a midge fly larvae

infestation in the early 1990s. That reservoir, which at one time was

also invaded by African clawed frogs, closed in the 1990s.

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

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