LOS ANGELES (December 4, 2019)—Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) crews have been working, since before 4 a.m. this morning, on shutting off valves to manage a rupture in a 72-inch diameter trunk line located in Mission Hills. A shutoff of the trunk line needs to completed before excavation and repair work can begin. We understand the inconvenience this may have on individuals experiencing low water pressure and those affected by traffic closures and want to thank our customers and commuters for their patience and understanding.
Water distribution trunk lines are major arteries that deliver water between tanks and reservoirs to smaller water mains. A rupture on a pipe of this size requires close coordination with several LADWP district crews working at different locations, to slowly shut off valves in a choreographed manner, in order to prevent any further damage to the system. As of 3:30 p.m., crews shut down 16 valves, allowing crews to begin preparing the site for excavation and repair work to begin.
While shutting off of the valves has helped water pressure to improve to near-normal levels, due to the complex nature of the repairs, LADWP is asking that customers bordered by Brand and Roscoe Blvds to the north and south, and Glenoaks and Sepulveda Blvds to the east and west, limit water use for the next 48 hours to help maintain water pressure. We ask that customers check to see that their irrigation systems are turned off, as we have had substantial rain in the last two weeks.
Due to flooding that resulted from the pipe break, LADWP worked with the City’s Department of Transportation to close traffic access around 10 a.m. to Woodman Avenue from Devonshire Ave. on the north end, to Lassen/Filmore on the south end. Please avoid the area and take alternate routes.
We will be providing updates and traffic alerts related to this incident on Twitter (@LADWP) and on Nextdoor for the affected communities. You can also call 1-800-DIAL-DWP if you need additional information.
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