At least five burst water mains have been reported across the greater L.A. area, leaving questions surrounding the city’s outdated infrastructure
At least five different water main breaks have occurred across the Los Angeles region in the past week, bringing heightened attention to the city’s centuries-old infrastructure.
In the wake of the water main break flooding the Sunset Strip — the most destructive by a large margin — another pipe burst in West Hollywood, one in Boyle Heights, and three in Venice in a single week.
Saturday, July 11 – Studio City
Studio City faced significant flooding that impacted major roadways on Coldwater Canyon, near Woodbridge. An 8-inch water main burst, leaving nearly 60 people without service while crews worked to repair the pipe.
Sunday, July 12 – Boyle Heights
Flooding was reported in Boyle Heights following the Lineage Logistics cold storage facility burning for eight days last month. Water leaked across a street near 1263 S. Brannick Ave., about a mile away from the site of the fire.
The minor flooding resulted in temporary road closures, with sizable damaged asphalt littered across the street. The exact cause was not immediately reported, nor were any injuries.
Studio City faced an identical situation the same day, with another 8-inch water main bursting, leaving nearly 60 people without service while crews work to repair the pipe.
Thursday, July 16 – West Hollywood
West Hollywood has gained considerable media attention across the nation for the massive flood caused by a burst water main beginning last Thursday, leaving a substantial sinkhole in the city. The over-100-year-old pipe burst in the early hours of the morning, pouring an estimated 17 million gallons of water down Sunset Boulevard.
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The disastrous flood caused significant damage to homes, businesses and around 200 vehicles as power outages and road closures stunted neighborhoods. Officials with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power shared in a press conference Saturday morning that a new 25-foot section of the damaged 36-inch steel pipeline has been installed.
The new pipe must undergo extensive tests, with crews filling around 3,400 linear feet of pipes, disinfecting them with highly chlorinated water before returning to use for drinking water.
As of this weekend, Sunset Boulevard remains shut down from Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard and surrounding streets. There is still no set date for the reopening of impacted areas or the restoration of the water main.
Another 8-inch water main failed in Hollywood this weekend, leaving water in the street and cutting service to about 70 people as it gets restored.
Saturday, July 18 – Venice
In Venice, three cases of flooding have been reported over the weekend in a near 24-hour period.
The first, reported around 8 a.m. Saturday morning, occurred on private property near the Venice Canals area, limiting available information from the LADWP. By 12:30 p.m., a second burst pipe was reported just a few blocks down near Grand Boulevard. A 6-inch cast iron pipe burst, ceasing service to 67 people while under repairs, with no timeline available as of Sunday evening.
Water flooded down alleyways and into a few homes, with a group of the dozens of impacted citizens purchasing pumps to try and limit the water damage
On the night between Saturday and Sunday, a third pipe burst on Lincoln Boulevard. An 8-inch main sent flooding into a third site on Venice streets, with crews still working on repairs as of Sunday evening.
Infrastructure failures like this have gained L.A. a national eye, as publications across the country report on the city’s centuries-old makeup. While city officials have recognized this growing number of pipe failures across the region, this raises concerns for residents, businesses and the available crews spreading thinner.
As of now, roads remain closed in West Hollywood and Venice as crews work to repair the pipes, with power and water service slowly being returned to citizens as the damage amounts.