West Hollywood pipe break spotlights LADWP's lagging pipe‑replacement pace

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Engineering experts continue to warn that Los Angeles' aging infrastructure is at risk, and data shows the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is not always meeting its own targets for replacing decades-old water pipes.

A massive break in a 110-year-old pipe caused flooding in West Hollywood on Wednesday. AIR7 footage showed the rupture clearly from above, underscoring concerns about the condition of the city's underground system.

According to LADWP's 2025-2026 Water Infrastructure Plan Report, the utility replaced 11,500 feet of pipe with earthquake-resilient pipe during the 2024-25 fiscal year. But that is short of its goal for that same period which was replacing 17,600 feet.

The work is critical because 6% of LADWP's distribution mainline pipes are classified as high priority for replacement. The utility told Eyewitness News it is on track this year to replace 246,047 feet of pipe.

But experts, including USC Viterbi School of Engineering Professor Lucio Soibelman, say the pace still isn't enough.

Soibelman said LADWP has a strong replacement program that is reducing leak rates, but the department needs more funding to accelerate the work.

"They know what they are doing. I don't think they have enough budget to solve the problem," he said.

Twelve years ago, Eyewitness News covered another major pipe burst just a half-mile down Sunset Boulevard. When asked whether the line involved in Wednesday's break had a history of failures, LADWP did not directly answer. Instead, the utility sent a statement touting its leak rate, which it said is 36% below the national average.

7 On Your Side Investigates will continue pressing for answers.