Water Main Break in Van Nuys Causes Havoc

The environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) professionals at Clark Seif Clark (CSC) have been contracted to respond to lead and asbestos concerns at several flooded apartment complexes.

Yesterday countless residents in the 16400 block of West Vanowen Street in Van Nuys, California awoke to an unpleasant surprise. At approximately 3:00 in the morning Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to calls of flooding in the area. It turns out a water main had broken releasing thousands of gallons of water which impacted homes, businesses and apartment buildings.

By 5:30 in the morning 60 people had already been displaced by the flood waters and the American Red Cross was called to the scene. According to media reports the water was deep enough to float people’s belongings in the affected buildings. A massive hole developed that collapsed the street where the broken water main had been buried.

Now that the water main has been turned off and repairs are underway, building occupants should be on alert for indoor air quality problems as they return to homes, apartments and businesses that suffered water damage.

Clark Seif Clark, a leading provider of environmental testing services, has already been contacted to conduct lead and asbestos surveys on a number of the flooded structures. “Property owners and tenants need to be aware of the potential hazards as they return to their impacted homes” reported Franco Seif, Principal and President of Clark Seif Clark. “Delays or inadequate flood response can result in mold growth, excessive structural damage and more. Right now CSC is helping area residents respond to the damage and are conducting lead and asbestos surveys in a number of the damaged buildings.”

To learn more about how CSC provides flood response support or for assistance with IAQ, mold or other environmental concerns please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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