WHAT: A media update about LADWP’s progress to restore water service to the Granada Hills and Porter Ranch communities
WHO: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember John Lee, District 12 and LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones
WHEN: Saturday, August 9, 4:15 p.m.
WHERE: 14305 San Fernando Rd., Granada Hills
VISUALS: Progress of valve excavation and repairs
BACKGROUND
On August 5th, while water system crews were making repairs at a pump station that connects to a 10-million-gallon water tank that serves the area, a valve that controls the flow of water broke during repairs and failed to reopen. As a result, the water flowing into a 54-inch-diameter pipe serving the area was cut off. This has led to a water service outage in the general area bounded by Rinaldi Avenue to the south, Balboa Blvd to the east, De Soto Ave to the west and the foothills & hills to the north.
LADWP crews have been working continuously 24/7 since Tuesday evening, to restore water service to all of our customers impacted by this emergency. While one key effort focuses on removal and replacement of a failed valve that controls flow into Granada Hills and Porter Ranch, the crews are also actively pumping water into system.
The work on the failed valve is complex because the valve is 20 feet below ground and to reach it, LADWP must excavate while avoiding numerous other utility lines. The location of the valve is near critical infrastructure including oil pipelines, a fiber optic line, and a high-pressure gas line. Crews have excavated 85% of the area and are now hand digging all day today and into the night.
LADWP will begin emptying the water from the pipe connected to the broken valve as early as tonight, to get it replaced. LADWP will have to cut the temporary water source feeding the system and there will be very limited water supply. When this occurs, customers are asked to absolutely refrain from using the tap water until further notice. Please keep taps closed, sprinkler systems off and automatic pool filling systems shut down. Using water will only further delay our progress to repair the system, repressurizing the system and complete sampling and testing water in order to lift the Boil Water Notification.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lesly Figueroa, LADWP Communications: (213) 982-4076
