West Hollywood rupture was L.A.’s worst in years: 17 million gallons spilled, Sunset Boulevard closed for days

Key Points:

• A 110-year-old water trunk line ruptured on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, spilling 17 million gallons of water and causing a large sinkhole, leading to multiple street closures and significant disruptions to local businesses and residents.
• The rupture caused flooding in residential garages, damaging or destroying an estimated 150 to 200 vehicles, and forced electricity shutdowns in some units due to compromised electrical panels.
• Repair crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) are working to replace a 25-foot section of the damaged pipe, with an estimated reopening of Sunset Boulevard by Monday, though officials caution this is not guaranteed.
• The broken pipe, part of a major water delivery system installed in 1916, was scheduled for replacement in 2031 as part of a broader multi-year infrastructure project addressing aging water lines across Los Angeles.
• Despite the incident, LADWP reports its leak rate is 36% lower than the national average, and officials emphasize ongoing efforts to prioritize and manage pipeline replacements while minimizing traffic impacts.