Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) announced on Thursday, August 27th, that the Foothill Trunk Line Project has been completed. This project involved replacing 4 miles of aging pipelines with seismic-resistant water transmission pipes.
The aging water transmission pipelines were originally built in the 1930s with diameters ranging from 24 to 36 inches, and have now been replaced by new seismic-resistant pipes with a diameter of 54 inches. The new pipes are made of welded steel and ductile iron, equipped with flexible joints to withstand ground movement during earthquakes.
Officials from the water and power department stated that this project is the “largest-scale and longest-distance large-diameter seismic-resistant ductile iron pipe installation project in the United States.” Since 2012, LADWP has installed 67.2 miles of seismic-resistant pipelines citywide and plans to further advance related projects.
Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, and water and power department officials held a press conference on Thursday morning to celebrate the completion of the project. Bass remarked that this significant project signifies more reliable water supply services, improved water quality, and resilient infrastructure to serve residents for decades.
City officials emphasized that the Foothill Trunk Line is a crucial component of the water supply system, responsible for transporting large volumes of water from reservoirs and related facilities to small trunk lines serving local communities. Rodriguez stated, “By delivering this record-breaking seismic-resistant infrastructure investment in the 7th Council District, we are protecting communities from earthquake risks, ensuring emergency responders have the necessary water sources in times of crisis, and providing reliable water supply services for generations of families in the valley area.”
David Hanson, Acting General Manager of the water and power department, noted, “Over the past twenty years, our annual mainline replacement volume has nearly tripled to 240,000 feet per year (45.45 miles), including over 41,000 feet (approximately 7.77 miles) of seismic-resistant pipelines. These upgrade projects have enhanced system reliability, as the numbers speak for themselves.”
Hanson stated that the water and power department’s water leakage rate is only half the national average, placing them at the forefront among similar water supply agencies in the United States. In July of this year, Los Angeles experienced at least five incidents of water main breaks, occurring in diverse areas such as the entertainment district, West Hollywood, Boyle Heights, and Venice, leading to varying degrees of flooding, road closures, and water service interruptions.
The water and power department indicated that the city’s water main lines in Los Angeles have a history of over 80 years. Officials mentioned that they are working towards modernizing the water supply infrastructure as part of an $8 billion, five-year Water System Capital Plan. Bass and council members have been actively advocating for the implementation of this plan.