But why drain the water? So that they don't ignore EPA regulations? Is this red tape to prevent corruption and loopholes? Is the US really that paranoid about this kind of thing to the point of becoming so inflexible? These are the kinds of measures one would expect in corrupt hellholes like China where nobody trusts anyone.
I figure having water in the reservoir is more important than a cover regulation anyway, no? Or do they have so many filled lakes that one empty one does not matter? In a sane world it would be like this
Tom: "Hey Bob, the reservoir cover needs repairs, so we won't have one for the week/take out the spare cover we have."
Bob: "Ok Tom!",
not
Tom: "Hey Bob, the reservoir cover needs repairs, so we have to drain all the water because reservoirs without covers are illegal."
Bob: "Sigh. Ok Tom."