‘Significant progress’ made on ruptured water main

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has made significant headway in repairing a ruptured century-old water main on Sunset Boulevard, replacing a damaged pipe section and beginning the refilling and disinfection process. This progress is critical as the main, which serves a heavily populated area, caused extensive flooding and vehicle damage, leaving residents on a limited water supply and prompting ongoing street closures.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported “significant progress” in repairing a century-old water main that ruptured on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, unleashing millions of gallons of water and causing extensive damage. As of Saturday, crews had replaced a 25-foot section of the damaged pipe with a new 3-foot steel segment. The welding process, which can take up to 16 hours for a project of this scale and complexity, was completed ahead of schedule, according to LADWP.

Following the installation of the replacement pipe, workers began the process of slowly refilling the line to restore water pressure. The water main is being disinfected with chlorine, inspected for leaks, and will undergo rinsing before the hole is filled and the street is repaved. Sunset Boulevard remains closed to traffic between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard, with additional limited access restrictions on nearby streets including Cynthia Street and parts of San Vicente, due to ongoing public safety concerns.

LADWP has not provided a timeline for the completion of repairs or when traffic might resume on the heavily traveled stretch. Meanwhile, the neighborhood is relying on a temporary 8-inch pipe to supply water, a significant reduction from the 36-inch main that typically serves the area. Residents have been urged to conserve water until full service is restored.

The rupture occurred in the early hours of Thursday, creating a large sinkhole at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The flooding released approximately 17 million gallons of water, damaging or destroying an estimated 150 to 200 vehicles, according to West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman. The water also inundated several apartment buildings, with some units requiring electrical power to be cut off after water compromised electrical panels. Most of the property damage was concentrated in underground garages, where water had to be pumped out.

Officials have been visiting affected homes to provide information on filing damage claims with LADWP. The pipeline, originally installed in 1916, was scheduled for replacement in 2031 prior to the rupture.

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