local
WeHo water main break creates sinkhole and array of street closures. Here's what to know
By Sammy Marvin at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
A sink hole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive in West Hollywood has swallowed up an intersection after a water main break.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)A water main break near Palm Avenue and Harratt Street sent waters flooding through West Hollywood early Thursday, ...
Key takeaway A leak from an over 100-year-old trunk line caused the rupture, authorities said.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The water main break in West Hollywood is a stark reminder of the city's aging infrastructure. With a trunk line over 100 years old, it's not surprising that a rupture occurred, causing significant disruption to the community. The closure of major roads like Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard will undoubtedly impact local businesses and residents, who rely on these thoroughfares for daily commutes and commerce. As repairs are made, it's crucial that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power prioritizes not only fixing the immediate damage but also assessing and addressing the broader needs of the city's water system to prevent similar incidents in the future. The fact that drinking water remains safe is reassuring, but the incident highlights the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure to ensure the reliability and safety of essential services in Los Angeles.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? A sink hole at Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive in West Hollywood has swallowed up an intersection after a water main break.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)A water main break near Palm Avenue and Harratt Street sent waters flooding through West Hollywood early Thursday, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sammy Marvin at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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