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Major water main breaks disrupt Los Angeles neighborhoods, causing widespread flooding and infrastructure damage
Photo: Los Angeles Times
2026-07-20 04:49   Incidents   11

Major water main breaks disrupt Los Angeles neighborhoods, causing widespread flooding and infrastructure damage

A series of water main ruptures in Los Angeles have caused severe flooding and disrupted infrastructure, with the most significant incident occurring on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.

The 110-year-old steel pipe, part of the city's critical water transmission system, broke on Thursday, releasing 17 million gallons of water and flooding streets, underground parking garages, and businesses.The rupture forced the closure of Sunset Boulevard for days, with repairs ongoing as crews work to replace the damaged section.Additional breaks were reported in Venice and Hollywood, though these were deemed unrelated to the West Hollywood incident.Officials confirmed that tap water remains safe to drink but urged conservation due to reduced pressure in affected areas.The flood caused extensive damage, including the destruction of 150-200 vehicles and the closure of local businesses like Book Soup.The LADWP emphasized that the repairs involve multiple steps, including disinfecting the pipe and testing water quality before reopening the street.Residents and businesses affected by the damage are directed to a claims portal for assistance.The incident highlights the aging infrastructure of Los Angeles, with over 29% of pipes nearing their 100-year lifespan.The ongoing repairs underscore the challenges of maintaining critical utilities in an aging urban environment.

Full reading at Los Angeles Times

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