A big city, several water systems
Torrance had 147,067 residents at the 2020 census and was incorporated on May 12, 1921, after a planned community was laid out by developer Jared Sidney Torrance with designs from Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Its size matters for a water call, because different parts of the city get water from different systems.
Torrance Municipal Water serves about 105,000 residents and business customers across roughly 78 percent of the city. California Water Service serves other parts through its Dominguez and Hermosa-Redondo systems. Your bill tells you which one is yours.
When water is spreading in Torrance
Typical emergency calls start with water heaters, dishwashers, washing machine hoses and supply lines in homes of many ages. The emergency line is open 24/7. Close the fixture valve, or the main, lift belongings and stay away from wet outlets.
Some western Torrance addresses carry a Redondo Beach mailing address, so give your street name when you call rather than only the city on your mail.
ZIP codes
Torrance ZIP codes include 90501, 90502, 90503, 90504 and 90505. The western part of the city uses Redondo Beach addresses, so state your street.
Water systems
The municipal water department answers for most of the city and Cal Water serves the rest, so check your bill before calling about a meter.
Permits
Permits come from the city of Torrance, not the city of Los Angeles. Ask its building department about your scope.
Dispatch
Emergency dispatch is available around the clock, and same-day response is offered when available.
After-hours water emergencies in the city system
The municipal water department says its crews respond around the clock to emergencies and outages, and water main breaks after business hours go through the city's fire dispatch line. If water is running in a street or from a city meter, report that to the city. For water inside your building, call us.
Torrance has about 1.5 miles of beachfront on Santa Monica Bay and a large industrial base that includes a refinery, American Honda's U.S. headquarters and helicopter manufacturing. Larger commercial buildings need a written drying plan that counts equipment.
| Torrance situation | First call | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Main break in the street | City water department or fire dispatch after hours | Call us if water reaches a building. |
| Pipe or hose failure inside | The 24/7 line | Photograph, dry, then repair. |
| Water heater leak | The 24/7 line | Shut off water and power to the heater first. |
| Storm water from the roof | The 24/7 line | A roofer fixes the roof once the interior is stabilized. |
Old Torrance, Madrona Marsh and the Del Amo area
Old Torrance was laid out on a diagonal to channel ocean breezes, and the El Prado Bridge dates to 1913. Madrona Marsh, an urban wetland on former oil production land, and the Del Amo Fashion Center, among the ten largest malls in the country by leasable area, are familiar reference points. Naming one helps dispatch place a call.
About 54 percent of occupied Torrance homes are owner-occupied, which means many calls turn into insurance claims. Keep photos, receipts and written scope documents together, and ask your insurer about your policy.
Before we arrive: if water is still spreading
Stop the supply
Close the fixture valve, then the main valve. Know where your main is before an emergency.
Power safety
Turn off power to wet rooms only from dry ground. If water touches a panel or outlet, call 911 or the utility.
Protect the contents
Lift furniture, rugs and electronics. Put foil under furniture legs on wet carpet.
Stay out of contaminated water
Sewage or backed-up drain water needs protective handling. Keep children and pets out.
Services that fit Torrance homes
In ZIP codes 90501 through 90505, the usual starting points are emergency water removal when water is standing and water damage repair for ceiling and wall damage after drying. Storm calls often involve flood damage restoration, and any lingering dampness is handled under water mitigation.
Torrance borders Lomita and Rancho Palos Verdes, and the same line covers both.
Water inside a Torrance home or shop? Call the 24/7 line. Scope and price are explained before work starts.
☎ Call (424) 550-5662Questions from Torrance callers
Is emergency water removal available in Torrance?
Yes. The line is answered 24/7, and same-day response is offered when available. Crews work out of San Pedro.
Do you cover every ZIP code in Torrance?
Torrance is served across ZIP codes 90501, 90502, 90503, 90504 and 90505, from Old Torrance to the Del Amo Fashion Center area. Some western addresses use a Redondo Beach mailing address, so give your street name and dispatch will confirm.
Which water system serves my Torrance address?
Check your bill. Most of the city is served by the municipal water department, and other parts by California Water Service.
Who handles permits in Torrance?
Permits come from the city of Torrance. Ask its building department about your scope before closing walls.
Is the 24/7 line the same for Torrance and San Pedro?
Yes. One line serves the whole area, and the person who answers will ask your street so crews can be routed.
Torrance on the map
This map is centered on Torrance, the larger city north of San Pedro.