SAN FERNANDO : Quake Damaged 2 Water Reservoirs
City officials have discovered that two of San Fernando’s four water reservoirs were severely damaged during the Northridge earthquake and will require about $2.75 million to repair.
After conducting underwater inspections and engineering analyses of Reservoir 3A and Reservoir 4, above-ground structures located at 13655 Foothill Blvd., engineers concluded repairs are needed on both.
“We have determined that it is seismically unsafe, and it could not stand another 6.8 earthquake,” said San Fernando Public Works Director Mike Drake during a recent City Council meeting, referring to Reservoir 4, which suffered the most damage.
“It has a crack about two-thirds of the way to the top and it also has fracturing at the bottom,” said San Fernando City Engineer Jerry Wedding.
Reservoir 4, built in 1962, holds 1 million gallons of water. Reservoir 3A, built in 1991, holds 2.5 million gallons.
Councilman Ray Ojeda said he was not surprised about the damage to Reservoir 4, since it was built before tougher seismic standards were introduced, but that he was concerned the current situation could constitute a safety hazard.
“If it goes, we’re in real trouble, because we’re all (below) it,” he said.
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