Rash of water line ruptures in LA raise concerns about aging infrastructure

[Liberal_in_LA]

Second ruptured water line in San Fernando Valley raises concerns
Some criticize the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which says the city is making great progress on a $4-billion program to upgrade its subterranean water system.

By Jessica Garrison, Andrew Blankstein and Raja Abdulrahim

September 9, 2009
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A second burst water line in the San Fernando Valley in less than 72 hours -- creating a sinkhole that nearly consumed a firetruck -- prompted concern about the city's aging pipe system and criticism that officials have moved too slowly to upgrade it.

The sinkhole appeared Tuesday morning in Valley Village, about two miles from the spot where a 95-year-old trunk line failed late Saturday night, sending a 10-foot torrent of mud and water into the streets of Studio City and inundating homes and businesses.

The incidents follow what Councilman Tom LaBonge said had been "a rash" of water-line breaks around his district in recent weeks, including some in Hancock Park, Los Feliz, Hollywood and Koreatown. He said he would formally ask the Department of Water and Power today to brief the council on the situation.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-water-main9-2009sep09,0,2529506.story

[ensho]

1. looks like a lot of jobs just waiting to be filled

using stimulus money since the state is broke and moneyless

[ensho]

2. looks like a lot of jobs just waiting to be filled

using stimulus money since the state is broke and moneyless

[smirkymonkey]

3. Let's just hope there are no earthquakes before the massive

project of upgrading the west coast infrastructure has been completed. I'd be a little worried if I was still living out there. Actually, I'm living in NYC and I'm more than a bit worried. You can practically see the city fall apart. The roof on one section of the subway caved in a few weeks ago and was closed for days. And, yes, we have fault lines running through Manhattan too.