Water Main Break Causes Chaos on Sunset Strip
A century-old water pipe burst early Thursday under Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, sending water gushing onto the street and creating a large sinkhole. The rupture of the 36-inch riveted steel pipe flooded the area, snarling traffic and forcing the closure of several major roads. Images showed local metro buses partially submerged in murky brown water.
No Injuries Reported, Officials Assess Damage
West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman confirmed that no injuries had been reported. “All of our residents to our knowledge are safe,” he said during a Thursday press conference, adding that there was no immediate need for evacuations. “We know these road closures and traffic impacts are disruptive, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as crews work to stabilize the area, assess the damage, and begin repairs,” Heilman also said in a statement.
Drinking Water Safe, Cause Unknown
David Hanson, interim general manager for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), assured that neighborhood residents have clean drinking water. Officials have not yet determined what caused the pipe to rupture. Anselmo Collins, LADWP chief operating officer, explained that the agency annually installs and replaces about 45 miles (72 km) of pipes. “Unfortunately, sometimes there may be parts of the pipeline where you end up with a weak spot and it reveals itself when you have these types of leaks,” he said.
Water Pressure Surge at Night Typical
Collins noted that water pressure typically surges at night when fewer people are using it. “Everybody’s asleep. So consequently normally that’s when you see a water main break take place,” he said. He did not provide a timeline for repairs, stating that officials are working to shut smaller valves and assess the situation.
Impact on Local Businesses
The flooding affected the Sunset Strip, a popular area with restaurants, bars, and retail shops. Dialog Cafe, a popular brunch spot, was temporarily closed after sustaining “significant damage” due to the water break, the restaurant wrote on social media, saying: “We don’t yet know exactly when we’ll be able to reopen.”
Mayor Calls for Infrastructure Plan
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass cited the pipe break as evidence of the need for a comprehensive infrastructure plan. The pipe predates West Hollywood's incorporation as an independent city in 1984. “This is one of the challenges when our infrastructure is so old,” she said. Bass noted that she recently developed a comprehensive infrastructure plan, which will be on the November ballot. “It is very difficult to repair the infrastructure that impacts the entire city and clearly two cities – West Hollywood and Los Angeles – without a citywide plan.”
