Water Main Breaks Skyrocket

By Samuel Alioto

Three water main breaks last month were a reminder that Los Angeles County infrastructure is aging and often needs to be upgraded or repaired.

The first break, in Venice, occurred around 2 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 2, 2021, according to the LADWP spokesperson, when a six inch cast iron pipe sprung a leak.

The water in that area was shut off around 3 a.m. At least 12 services in the area are impacted by the leak and resulting lack of water, including the administration building at a nearby school.

A second break the afternoon of November 12th, shot water 100 feet into the sky right in front of the Santa Monica Pier Arch, on Colorado Blvd and Ocean avenue.

Crowds of tourists and local residents watched as firemen attempted to find the shutoff valve.

"Amazing," muttered Shahrahree, as she waited to meet a friend near the Santa Monica Pier Arch. The Pier was built before 1920. Some of the infrastructure that serves the Pier still dates from that era.

"Fire Mains do break and plumbing needs repair periodically," said City Councilmember Phil Brock. "However, as a city it is important that our infrastructure is kept in top shape. From electricity to sewers to water mains and more it has to be a top priority of our city government. Infrastructure comes before adding more density to Santa Monica."

A third water main breach closed Cahuenga Blvd on Nov. 2nd, reports NBC News. A cast iron water main, 87 years old and installed in 1934, failed due to a "split," the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power told NBC.

It's one of three leaks that particular water main has sprung over the past five years, according to a LADWP spokesperson.

The broken pipe sent water flooding down Cahuenga Boulevard, in a stream flowing from Oakshire Drive to Lankershim near Universal Studios. The incident left 41 LADWP customers without service overnight, and closed Cahuenga, a major thoroughfare.