Businesses Flooded After Water Main Break in Echo Park

Crews worked Tuesday afternoon to repair a broken water main that flooded businesses in Echo Park that morning.

A 106-year-old 8-inch pipe burst just before 3 a.m. near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street and flooded nearby stores, including a 99 Cents Only store.

Also flooded was Wells Antique Tile & Pottery and Eric's Artchitectural Salvage at 2110 Sunset Blvd.

Good Samaritans helped store owners clean up.

A Department of Water and Power official said that the breaks are, in a way, helpful and allow them to assess when certain pipes need to be replaced. He said tha this pipe also leaked a few years ago.

"Leaks actually give us a better idea of how the mains are operating. If they’re not leaking, they’re working fine, we’re going to leave them alone," the DWP official said.

At least 15 services, which include residential properties and businesses, were without water until 2:30 p.m., DWP officials said.

Two lanes on southbound Alvarado Street were closed for repairs, which were expected to be complete by about 5 p.m.

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Oleevia Woo contributed to this report.