L.A. Statistic: 1,400 Water Main Leaks & Breaks a Year, 200 that are High Profile

Due to the trunkline break in Studio City, Coldwater Canyon is closed at Moorpark St. | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist

A little clarification from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding a figure officials told us earlier today. A spokesman writes in: "We have approximately 1400 water main leaks and breaks per year (and this number is on the decline due to our infrastructure replacement endeavors wherein we line the pipes with concrete.) At any rate, 1400 per year equates to approximately 4 per day- a very low number for the nation’s largest municipal utility."

He says 200 of those leaks and breaks rise to the level of the Valley Village and Studio City incidents where customers are impacted, streets are closed, flooding occurs, and media attention is generated.