Broken water line in Laguna Niguel results in partial closure of Crown Valley Parkway

A 60-year-old water line ruptured in Laguna Niguel Sunday morning, Jan. 23, resulting in the hours-long closure of several lanes on a major thoroughfare through the city.

The break was reported at about 9 a.m. on Crown Valley Parkway, between La Plata Drive and Central Park Drive, Moulton Niguel Water District spokesman Matt Collings said. A Sigalert was issued and will remain in effect until at least 3 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Justin Montano said. As of 12 p.m., the westbound side of Crown Valley Parkway was open, but eastbound traffic was restricted to a single lane.

All lanes should be reopened sometime Sunday afternoon, but crews might not complete repairs until Monday morning, Collings said. Water was being rerouted around the leaking pipe, and no customers were without service as of Sunday afternoon.

“This is probably one of the oldest lines in the district,” Collings said. “It still works, but we have issues with it every now and again, and it’s listed on our master plan for replacement.”

The ruptured line pipe is 16 inches wide, and appeared to have failed at a joint, Collings said.  Similar pipes typically last upwards of 75 years before a replacement is needed.

Source: Orange County Register