Major Valve Blowout
Sunday 13 July 2025 12:11:11 AM
Location: 1281 Elizabeth Street
Categorie: Water
Description:
Descriptive Statement: Following the rupture of a water pipe, a rapidly expanding sinkhole formed beneath the property, causing water to surge uncontrollably and flood the area under a mobile home. To mitigate further damage and redirect water away from hazardous electrical infrastructure, an emergency trench was excavated. Despite urgent appeals for assistance, the Red Cross provided no actionable support, and 911 responders dispatched city maintenance crews whose involvement was limited to erecting caution tape and municipal signage. With no additional aid, the property owner undertook the arduous task of manually removing saturated mud, heavy cement blocks, and a decayed tree stump to clear the path for the trench. The situation underscored the lack of effective institutional intervention, leaving critical labor and problem-solving to the residents themselves to secure their safety and restore functional water diversion.
Administrator Comment:
There was another pipe that broke last night (July 24, 2025), near the location of the original leak. I stopped by the office and spoke with the manager, Janet Barajas, to ask about the new issue. She informed me that plumbers were scheduled to arrive within approximately two hours to make the repair. Since the new leak is not related to the sewage line, she said everything should be fine and that residents should not experience any problems, as it would be resolved the same day. The first leak was reported on July 13, and since it has now been two weeks without a resolution, I followed up with the California Department of Housing and Community Development and filed a formal complaint in hopes of moving the process forward. The complaint number is: MPC-250-4233. The representative I spoke with mentioned there are other reports already in line. However, because the original report involves a sewer pump issue, this follow-up may receive quicker attention.
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