Scramble to plug 3rd burst LA water main as crews finally seal major sinkhole

Another day, another busted water main.

For the third time in a week, a water main burst and sent water rushing through the streets of Los Angeles on Friday.

The latest rupture happened around 3 p.m. near Paramount Studios and Hollywood Forever Cemetery, at the intersection of Romaine Street and North Wilson Place just as the city prepares to reopen Sunset Boulevard after last week’s massive break.

The Los Angeles Fire Department shut down Romaine Street while crews responded, though no injuries or property damage were reported.

The latest break comes just one day after another water main ruptured in West Hollywood — as crews were still repairing the massive sinkhole left behind by a similar break last week.

“It is a 6-inch pipe and 10 to 20 customers are affected, meaning they may not have water service at this time, and we’re working to get their water back to them by about 4 o’clock,” LADWP spokesperson Ellen Cheng told ABC7 Thursday.

That break occurred at Santa Monica Boulevard and Laurel Avenue after a 6-inch cast iron water pipe installed more than 100 years ago gave way.

Both of these ruptures occurred several miles from the major water main break at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive in West Hollywood last Thursday.

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A 110-year-old and 36-inch pipe ruptured, causing a sinkhole and spilling 17 million gallons of water.

Powerful floodwaters caused cars to crash into one another and overflowed parking garages, submerging vehicles. Two people even fell into the sinkhole.

“They’re going to have to pump out this water from the sinkhole before they can repair the water main,” a KTLA reporter said.

A week after the break, crews have slowly repressurized the line temporarily repaving the road.

LADWP also fixed the 36-inch pipe after a small leak was found

“LADWP crews have performed complex work including pumping, repairing the 36-inch riveted steel pipe, welding the pipe, repressurizing and ensuring there are no leaks, flushing, disinfecting and water quality testing,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The reopening of Sunset Boulevard is set for Friday night.