The water provider for Culver City is planning a multi-million dollar investment that will improve and update its water infrastructure.
Golden State Water Co., which supplies most Culver City businesses and residences, recently announced that the company will spend more than $7.2 million in the Culver City service area this year. “Golden State Water believes that proactive system maintenance is critical to protecting water service now and for future generations,” said Sunil Pillai, general manager of the Central District for Golden State Water. “We continually invest to improve our water systems by upgrading both treatment and delivery systems in the Culver City customer service area and across all of our service territories.”
The $7.2 million would go toward replacing old meters, water mains, safety equipment and distribution maintenance.
Like Los Angeles, Culver City has had its problems with failing water mains.
A ruptured pipe between Ranch Road and Lugo Way caused a great deal of flooding and an Oct. 22, 2014 water main break left 25 homes near Sepulveda and Sawtelle boulevards without service for several hours. On Feb. 13, portions of McDonald Street in Sunkist Park were flooded due to another water main break.
The Dept. of Water and Power is also planning to restructure their water system. The utility’s board of commissioners voted 3-1 on May 19 to craft a financial plan that would generate revenue to help offset costs of building new underground water pipes and incorporating new environmental regulations.
An analysis presented to the commissioners’ estimates that the DWP will need approximately $270 million in additional revenue every year over the next five years.
While most of Culver City residences and businesses are served by Golden State, those who reside west of the 405 Freeway are DWP customers. According to the city’s website, these homeowners and businesses are not subject to the DWP’s penalties for violating the utility’s new regulations governing water conservation.
No estimate on any potential rate increase was given.
The Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti must vote on any increases.
Burst water mains on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills during the last two years illustrate the city’s deteriorating infrastructure.