MISCIKOWSKI WANTS CITY REVIEW OF AGING WATER MAINS' CONDITION.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

As city officials were planning for new piping to back up a 76-year-old water main that burst in Encino, Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski called Friday for a review of the condition of 66 miles of antiquated water mains throughout Los Angeles.

A motion Miscikowski plans to submit to the City Council on Tuesday directs the Department of Water and Power to inspect all pipes identified by the agency four years ago as having been installed before 1940 and in need of replacement. About two-thirds of the old pipe is in the Valley.

``These mains are in frightening condition,'' said Miscikowski, who represents the area affected by the Encino main's rupture. ``It's crucial that we know where the next break might occur and how we can prevent it.''

The motion directs the DWP to report back in 30 days on how to expedite a replacement plan for pre-1940 pipes that at this point is set to take 10 years to complete.

The pipe that burst Thursday in Encino was installed in 1921.

``Though no one was injured this time, we may not be so fortunate next time,'' Miscikowski said.

DWP spokeswoman Cecilia Weldon said Friday that the agency is reviewing the possibility of ``slip-lining'' a new pipe inside a 2,000-foot stretch of the existing pipe that burst open this week.

Slip-lining is faster and less expensive than a normal replacement project, and could be completed in less than six months, Weldon said.

The project is being considered as part of an order by DWP General Manager David Freeman to accelerate replacing water pipes at risk of rupture.

Freeman issued the order after a 30-inch water main in the 4600 block of Encino Avenue burst open Wednesday, sending 1.5 million gallons of water cascading down Louise Avenue.

The trunk line runs from Encino Reservoir to Ventura Boulevard and would likely be taken out of service in the year 2003 if a new water-treatment plant is built at the reservoir, she said.

The DWP now is looking to move up the timetable for replacing old pipes.

Financial constraints have meant that less than one mile of the 66 miles of old pipe has been replaced so far.

Miscikowski said she is concerned that the city has neglected its infrastructure.

``If this had happened closer to a house it could have caused a wall to collapse on people,'' she said. ``There could have been a loss of life.

``We need a serious assessment,'' she added. ``If it's a break on the same kind of line that we had four years ago, this is a pattern I don't want to see. They better start paying much more serious attention to it than they have.''