The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power insisted Friday that it is on track to reopen a stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood that was damaged by a major water main break, despite finding a new “pinhole” leak that caused water to bubble up in the sinkhole the agency was already backfilling.
After making what the DWP called “steady progress” in repairing the ruptured 36-inch diameter pipeline, things got more complicated when crews around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday observed water coming up from the area being backfilled and prepared for paving.
According to the utility, “LADWP crews continued repaving and striping of Sunset Boulevard early (Thursday) morning while working to repair a small pinhole-sized leak identified last night at the east end of the worksite. Overnight crews excavated an approximately 3×4 foot area to locate the affected area. Water quality samples were taken from the pipe this morning and will be followed by welding a patch at the site of the leak. If all goes well, the excavation will be repacked and paved.”
The department said previously it planned to reopen the heavily traveled stretch of Sunset Boulevard Thursday night or Friday morning. It has been closed between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard since about 3 a.m. July 16 when the rupture occurred beneath Sunset at Holloway Drive.
On Thursday afternoon, DWP officials said repairs of the new pinhole leak were being completed, after which the street will be repaved and striped to prepare it for reopening.
The utility is “on track to reopen Sunset Boulevard to traffic by Friday,” according to DWP.
Roughly 17 million gallons of water poured out of the pipe when it ruptured last week, and the water flowed down West Hollywood streets, pushing around cars and flooding garages while shifting massive chunks of asphalt and concrete slabs.
DWP officials said that since the main ruptured, repair crews “have performed complex work including pumping, repairing the 36-inch riveted steel pipe, welding the pipe, repressurizing and ensuring there are no leaks, flushing, disinfecting and water quality testing.”
Before the latest setback of the new leak, the DWP water quality team was preparing to conduct water quality testing to ensure all standards are met before the pipe is returned to service. The new section of the pipe has been disinfected and is now filled with water that is being isolated and held in preparation for water quality testing.
Once test results confirm the water inside the repaired section of the pipe meets water quality standards, the trunk line can be returned to service as early as Friday, according to the DWP.
On Wednesday, crews used chlorine “to treat the pipe and ensure it is free of any bacteria,” according to the DWP.
“LADWP continues to assure customers that water remains safe to drink and there are no service interruptions expected as this work approaches completion,” the utility stated. “Customers are still urged to conserve water to help avoid low-pressure periods during high demand.”
Work on repairing the broken main, which dates to 1916, involved more than 250 LADWP workers toiling around the clock, according to the agency.
Repairs of the broken main were completed Sunday night as a new 25-foot section was welded into place.
The LADWP was working with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Los Angeles County Public Works and other utilities to protect underground infrastructure during the repairs.
Some businesses in the area remain closed, and many residents suffered property damage in the disaster.
Customers with questions regarding the pipe rupture may call 1-800-DIAL-DWP. Claims information is available at LADWP.com/Claims.
West Hollywood has launched a website with regularly updated information about the response and recovery effort. The site, weho.org/watermainbreak, includes repair updates, street closures, traffic information, Metro detours, parking enforcement changes, claims information, hotel discounts for affected residents and other resources.
Officials said the 10-mile Sunset Trunk Line that ruptured had already been designated for replacement. The department said design work is underway on a project to replace nearly 6.4 miles of large-diameter pipeline and 3.5 miles of distribution pipe, with construction expected to begin in 2031.
The utility said it replaced more than 246,000 feet of water pipeline during 2024 and 2025 and is on track to replace another 246,000 feet this year. The department also said its leak rate is 36% below the national average, averaging 16.1 leaks per 100 miles of pipe compared with 25 leaks per 100 miles nationwide.
The specific cause of the break was under investigation, but Anselmo Collins, the LADWP’s chief operating officer and senior assistant general manager of the water system, said pressure in water delivery lines is highest at night when demand drops.