California Construction News staff writer
A major construction milestone has been reached on a project replacing an aging water pipeline in Los Angeles with a larger, earthquake-resistant system.
Officials highlighted progress on the Foothill Trunk Line Project, which is replacing portions of a water pipeline originally built in the 1930s.
The line is a major part of Los Angeles’ water distribution system, carrying large volumes of water from reservoirs and other facilities to smaller pipelines serving local communities.
The existing pipeline ranges from 24 to 36 inches in diameter. It is being replaced with a 54-inch pipeline made from welded steel and Earthquake Resistant Ductile Iron Pipe, or ERDIP. The ductile iron pipe uses flexible joints designed to withstand ground movement during earthquakes.
Crews have now installed more than four miles of earthquake-resistant pipe on the project. LADWP said the work represents the largest and longest installation of large-diameter earthquake-resistant ductile iron pipe in the United States.
“This historic project is an example of the critical, proactive infrastructure work that is happening behind the scenes, but makes a real difference for Angelenos,” Bass said. “This project means more reliable water service, better water quality, and resilient infrastructure built to serve Angelenos for decades to come.”
Rodriguez said the project is particularly important for public safety because of the region’s earthquake risk.
“Upgrading our City’s water infrastructure is a matter of public safety and equity for all Angelenos,” Rodriguez said. “By securing this record-setting investment in earthquake-resilient infrastructure right here in Council District 7, we are protecting our neighborhoods from seismic risks, ensuring our first responders have the water they need in a crisis, and guaranteeing reliable service for generations of Valley families to come.”
The Foothill project is part of a broader LADWP program to replace aging water infrastructure throughout the city.
Since 2012, LADWP has installed 67.2 miles of earthquake-resistant pipe across Los Angeles, with additional projects planned.
LADWP Interim General Manager David W. Hanson said the utility has also increased the pace of mainline pipe replacement. Over the past 20 years, annual replacement has nearly tripled to about 240,000 feet, including more than 41,000 feet of earthquake-resistant pipe.
LADWP reports that its water leak rate is about half the national average.
The Foothill Trunk Line work comes as Los Angeles advances several major water infrastructure projects.
Earlier this week, Bass and city officials opened two groundwater treatment facilities in North Hollywood capable of treating up to 43 million gallons of contaminated groundwater per day. The facilities are intended to restore a local water source and provide treated water for hundreds of thousands of residents.
The projects are part of the city’s broader effort to increase local water supplies and improve resilience. Los Angeles has set a goal of obtaining 70 per cent of its water supply locally by 2035 through measures including groundwater cleanup, stormwater capture and recycled water.
The Foothill Trunk Line Project is also included in the city’s first Capital Infrastructure Program, which Bass released earlier this year to coordinate and prioritize long-term infrastructure investment across Los Angeles.
