Water valve leak floods Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood
Water valve leak floods Santa Monica Blvd. in WeHo
The leak occurred just a mile from last week's massive 36-inch water main break on Sunset Boulevard, where a secondary leak detected overnight threatens to delay street reopening plans.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Crews with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) are responding to a water valve leak on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood on Thursday.
The incident comes as utility workers face setbacks just a mile away, where a newly detected leak threatens to delay the reopening of Sunset Boulevard following last week's major trunk line rupture.
What we know:
Aerial footage from SkyFOX showed water flooding the roadway and sidewalk near Santa Monica Boulevard and Laurel Avenue, forcing the closure of eastbound lanes near Crescent Heights Boulevard.
This new leak sits about a mile away from last week's massive incident on Sunset Boulevard, where a 1916 36-inch trunk line ruptured at Holloway Drive.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New leak in West Hollywood sinkhole threatens to delay critical pipe repairs
That initial break released roughly 17 million gallons of water through West Hollywood, shifting concrete slabs, flooding garages, and damaging local properties.
Water pooling found near repaired pipeline in WeHo
Crews must now re-excavate to locate and repair the new leak before final water quality testing and repaving can occur.
More than 250 LADWP workers worked around the clock to weld a new 25-foot replacement pipe into place by Sunday night.
However, as crews backfilled the sinkhole and compacted the concrete aggregate base to prepare for asphalt, water began pooling at the surface around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, confirming a secondary leak that required workers to re-excavate the site.
What we don't know:
Engineers have not yet identified the source or cause of the secondary leak emerging from the backfilled area on Sunset Boulevard.
What you can do:
Avoid eastbound Santa Monica Boulevard near Crescent Heights Boulevard and the closed section of Sunset Boulevard between Sherbourne Drive and San Vicente Boulevard. Limited local access is available on Cynthia Street and San Vicente Boulevard.
Those in the area are encouraged to continue voluntary water conservation to maintain system pressure; tap water remains fully safe for drinking.
Residents and business owners affected by property damage can submit claims at LADWP.com/Claims or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
Those looking for more resources can visit weho.org/watermainbreak for updated information on road closures, Metro detours, parking enforcement changes, and local hotel discounts.
The Source: Information in this report is sourced directly from official statements, status updates, and press disclosures provided by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).