USA17 July, 20263 min read
West Hollywood Water Main Break Floods Sunset Boulevard, LADWP Installs New 25-Foot Pipe
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A 36-inch century-old water main ruptured near Sunset Boulevard, flooding West Hollywood streets. LADWP installed a new pipe and repairs continued with uncertain reopening timeline.
Burst pipe, flooded streets
A century-old water main rupture in West Hollywood flooded homes, businesses, and roughly 200 vehicles early Thursday, forcing widespread road closures and power outages and leaving a protruding sinkhole on Sunset Boulevard.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said crews installed and welded a new 25-foot section of the damaged 36-inch steel pipeline, with welders completing the installation around 5:30 a.m. Saturday and crews immediately beginning pressure testing.
Before the repaired section can return to service, LADWP said it must pass pressure testing, undergo a required disinfection process, and meet state water quality standards, including filling approximately 3,400 linear feet of pipe before injecting highly chlorinated water.
West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman said there were "no injuries, no loss of life," and the city said two buildings remained without electricity after floodwaters damaged electrical panels, down from four immediately after the rupture.
LADWP officials said they could not guarantee Sunset Boulevard would reopen in time for Monday’s morning commute, with Anselmo Collins saying, "At this point, I don’t know if we can guarantee that we’re going to be open by Monday."
Police warn of scams
As crews worked to stabilize the area, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department warned that opportunistic criminals may target homes and businesses in West Hollywood after the water main break flooded the city.
Sgt. Murray with the LA County Sheriff’s Department told NBC4, "If you come to the area to commit crimes, you will get caught and go to jail, and deputies are out looking for issues," while officials urged residents to watch for "chaser" tow trucks that show up and tie submerged cars without their owners’ permission.
The New York Post said the break unleashed a staggering 17 million gallons of water and caused widespread damage along Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive, including property damage to businesses and smashed cars together.
Mayor Karen Bass said in a press conference that the "main challenge" associated with the main break is to morning commuters, and she said the pipes were more than 100 years old.
John Heilman told the Guardian during a Thursday press conference, "All of our residents to our knowledge are safe," as road closures and traffic impacts continued while crews assessed the damage and began repairs.
Repairs, reopening, and risk
LADWP said the repaired 36-inch riveted steel pipe ruptured in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive at 3 a.m., and NBC Los Angeles reported that the agency was working with the city of West Hollywood to repair the line.
“LADWP said it's working with the city of West Hollywood to repair the 36-inch pipe ruptured in the area of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive at 3 a.m.”
NBC Los Angeles said the water is safe to drink, and it described that those on higher building floors may experience low water pressure, while LADWP said customers continue receiving safe drinking water through an existing 8-inch water line and other operational adjustments.
The repair process depends on steps including pressure testing and disinfection, and Telemundo 52 said there is no guarantee that the streets will reopen by Monday because return to normal depends on factors such as approved pressure tests and completion of disinfection.
Telemundo 52 reported that crews cut and removed a 25-foot section of the damaged pipe to replace it with a new one, with an expected lifespan of 200 years, and that workers connect the new pipe by wrapping a steel band around the joint and then welding it.
As officials continued to manage the aftermath, NBC Los Angeles said LADWP Claims staff would remain onsite in front of 1010 Palm Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday to answer questions about property damage and claims, while the city urged residents to file claims with insurance companies and LADWP.