Aging LA water pipes prompt concern

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Two water main breaks in less than 72 hours is prompting serious concern about the aging pipes that deliver water to Los Angeles, a city councilman says.

Councilman Tom LaBonge, who says his district has suffered a "rash" of breaks, wants the Department of Water and Power to provide an update on the situation, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

"There is an epidemic going on," LaBonge says. "It seems too coincidental that all these things are failing. We don't realize how old our system is."

The first break late Saturday night sent a torrent of mud and water onto the streets of Studio City creating a sinkhole that trapped a fire truck.

On Tuesday morning, another sinkhole appeared in Valley Village after a second waterline burst.

Department of Water and Power officials say they are making great progress on a $4 billion upgrade to the Los Angeles water system.