AWWA JAW39245

Although the 6.8-magnitude Northridge earthquake in 1994 was not "the big one" Californians fear, it caused as much damage to the San Fernando Valley as would be expected from the big one--which, experts say, will have a magnitude of 8.0 or higher. This extensive damage occurred because the epicenter was in a large population center, and the quake cause record ground accelerations. The devastation tested the preparedness of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Extensive damage to the water system left 500,000 people without water or fire protection, but water trucks supplied citizens at various locations while repair crews worked around the clock. Full service was restored within five days to 99 percent of customers. Includes figure.