Whitnall Highway Pipeline Project

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is proposing to construct a 78-inch underground water supply pipeline, a portion of which would traverse the City of Burbank beneath the Whitnall Highway utility corridor.

For further information, please call Paul Rugar at LADWP at (213) 367-0806.

EIR Available for Review
On March 31, 2008, LADWP released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the pipeline project.  The 45-day public comment period ended on May 15, 2008.

The EIR is available online on LADWP's web site.  A hard copy is also available for review at the Buena Vista public library located at 300 N. Buena Vista Street.

The City of Burbank submitted its comment letter on the EIR on May 14, 2008.  The letter documents the City's concerns regarding the environmental analysis in the EIR and the need for additional analysis and mitigation measures to be included.  LADWP reviewed the City's comments and made revisions to the EIR to address the City's concerns.

Project Description
The pipeline project project is officially known as the River Supply Conduit Improvement – Upper Reach.  The proposed pipeline would replace an existing underground pipeline that is part of the domestic water system for the City of Los Angeles. The purpose of the new pipeline is to increase the efficiency of water delivery and to ensure that LADWP’s system conforms to state laws and regulations regarding domestic water systems.

The proposed pipeline would enter Burbank on Burbank Boulevard at the City boundary with the City of Los Angeles. It would turn south at Whitnall Highway and travel through the southwest area of Burbank along the Whitnall Highway utility corridor in the existing LADWP utility easement, where LADWP has existing power lines above ground and a water pipeline below ground. The pipeline would exit Burbank south of Riverside Drive and Johnny Carson Park, near Buena Vista Street.

The total pipeline project is approximately 5.98 miles long, of which about 2.25 miles would be located in Burbank. The portion of the project along Whitnall Highway in Burbank is expected to start construction in November 2008 and be completed by September 2011.