Project Goal
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) approached the January 2025 Palisades Fire water quality response with an unconventional application of GIS. Rather than using ArcGIS StoryMaps as a static communications product, the team built it as a live operational and regulatory tool, combining real-time pressure zone data, parcel-level address resolution, and water quality test results into a single public-facing source of record. An internal Do Not Drink (DND) Area Viewer App was launched January 17, 2025, two days after development began, to support field and customer-service teams. A public-facing StoryMap launched February 19, 2025. Together they replaced static notices and call-center-dependent inquiry with a continuously updated, map-based platform serving residents, regulators, and partner agencies, aligned with State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water reporting.Business Problem Solved
The Palisades Fire affected between 4,000 and 8,000 service connections across nine LADWP pressure zones. Conventional response would have required approximately 80 staff and two full days for door-to-door notification, with customers otherwise dependent on the call center for address-specific information. LADWP integrated pressure zone data, county assessor parcel records, and water quality test results into the StoryMap and DND Area Viewer App. Over 11,000 users accessed the restoration and dashboard pages in the first week, allowing residents to self-serve address-level status and reducing call center load. Water quality test results were captured and visualized over a two-month period, supporting State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water review and accelerating the regulatory acceptance that allowed advisories to be lifted.
Technology Implemented
ArcGIS StoryMaps (public-facing narrative)
ArcGIS Online (hosting and access)
ArcGIS feature services for pressure zones, buffer zones, service connections, sampling locations, and water quality test results
County assessor APN data correlated to service addresses
Internal DND Area Viewer App for field and customer-service use
Embedded web maps, timeline elements, and sidecar map blocks within the StoryMap
Development Team Biography
Justin Sarris, Assistant Director of Information Systems — Executive sponsor.
Greg Ammon, GIS Chief — Data owner for pressure zone and water distribution layers.
Yousun Chung, GIS Manager — Project management and team lead.
Perry To, Programmer Analyst — StoryMap and application development.
Shaquile Phuong, Programmer Analyst — StoryMap and application development.
Berenice Barajas, Utility Services Manager — Customer service oversight and StoryMap business sponsor.
Ku Chung, Data Analyst — Sampling data analysis and dashboard analytics.
Renee Vazquez, Community Relations Manager — Public communications lead.