LOS ANGELES (July 17, 2026) – LADWP crews have cut into the section of the large water pipe that ruptured on Thursday morning and will continue to work on pipe repairs overnight. Following the draining of the 0.7-mile-long section of the pipe, crews are performing complex work, including excavation, removing the damaged pipe and replacing it with a new 25-foot section now onsite and ready for installation. LADWP is also working closely with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, LA County Public Works and other utilities to assess and secure their underground infrastructure while work is ongoing. Customers continue to have reliable drinking water served through an 8-inch diameter backup water line while repairs take place on the damaged 36-inch diameter pipe.
Sunset Boulevard remains closed to traffic, with the closure area reduced to the section between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard along with nearby streets closed, including at Cynthia and San Vicente, for public safety. The public is asked to avoid the area for their own safety and to abide by local officials’ guidance and direction.
To complete the installation of the pipe, LADWP must weld the new steel pipe in place which can take up to 16 hours. Afterward, the pipe will be repressurized, checked for leaks, disinfected with chlorine and tested to ensure regulatory compliance. Water will then be discharged and the pipe will be refilled prior to backfilling and street paving. LADWP is working as quickly and as safely as possible to complete these complex repairs and reopen the street. As the pipe is in West Hollywood, the street will meet West Hollywood’s specific street standards and material requirements.
The pipeline that ruptured, originally built in 1916, has long been scheduled for replacement. LADWP is already advancing design work for the project, which will upgrade nearly 6.4 miles of large diameter pipe and 3.5 miles of distribution pipe, with construction anticipated to begin in 2031. While crews are completing repairs on the damaged 25-foot section now, LADWP remains committed to moving forward with the broader, long-term replacement effort.
LADWP’s leak rate remains 36% lower than the national average, with 16.1 leaks per 100 miles compared to 25 leaks per 100 miles nationwide. During 2024-2025, LADWP replaced more than 246,000 feet of water pipeline and is on track this year to replace another 246,000 feet.
For information related to this incident, go to www.LADWPnews.com or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP. For claims information, visit www.LADWP.com/Claims
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