Thanksgiving

Water Restored to 100 Homes After Main Break in Malibu

The 18-inch pipe ruptured and sent a geyser of water into the air

One hundred homes in Malibu had water restored by Friday night nearly 24 hours after a water main break forced them to lose service.

The break shot a geyser of water into the air and opened a trench 9 feet long at widest point and 5 feet wide on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu Thursday night.

The 16-inch pipe, which was installed back in 1966, ruptured about 6:45 p.m. as water shot into the air until crews turned the water off by about 9:30 p.m.. The rupture left a gaping hole filled with water and mud in the roadway.

Lanes of PCH were temporarily closed in both directions between Broad Beach and Trancas Canyon roads. All but one lane had reopened by 11 p.m, and the westbound lane remained closed as of Friday morning. It was expected to reopen by Monday.

Crews were on scene with a backhoe to excavate the lines at around 3:30 a.m, and they need to complete the task before deciding on how to fix the problem. 

One property ended up with wet mud its front patio, but it suffered but no structural damage.

About 50 homes and 50 condominium units were without water during the repairs, but none were damaged by the flooding, officials said.

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