FOLLOWUP: About the brown water in Admiral/Belvidere

| Utilities | West Seattle news

9 AM: When we first heard about discolored water in Admiral/Belvidere yesterday morning, we advised people to call Seattle Public Utilities – 206-386-1800 – and received early word back that customers were being told it was just hydrant testing, so we didn’t pursue it further, but should have; more reports came in many hours later, and we pinged SPU’s communications team to find out if it was really something more. This morning we finally have the answer, from SPU spokesperson Ingrid Goodwin: “A hydrant on Belvidere was being used to fill up a vactor truck. This action caused customers to experience discolored water. In this case, it took longer than normal for the discolored water to clear. SPU apologizes to customers for the inconvenience. Testing and use of the hydrants for purposes other than firefighting is required periodically.”

9:24 AM: In response to our followup questions: “Our vactor trucks carry water and they need to fill up from time to time, which is pretty common. This was not a testing situation. Pulling water from this hydrant certainly caused more sediment to be disturbed than normal. Our field crews are aware of the problem and will be working to minimize this type of issue in the future.”

Artsea March 3, 2016 (9:43 am)

I might sound stupid, but…..what the heck is a vactor truck?

WSB March 3, 2016 (9:59 am)

Artsea, no, that’s not stupid, and I thought of looking up a photo to include! This type of vacuum truck (which we photographed during the recent problem by the 63rd/Beach Drive pump station), often seen at the scene of clogged street drains, sewer or water pipe leaks/breaks, etc.:

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/beachsewer-e1453580118375.jpg
sam-c March 3, 2016 (10:14 am)

It’s a truck that vacuums, I believe- like excavating in tricky spots, vacuuming sewer lines and such. When I googled it though, it seems like Vactor is a company name that’s become used commonly, Like calling tissues Kleenex. ( I think- that is what I got from googling)

Casey March 3, 2016 (1:17 pm)

Who knows whats really going on with our water, the city always says its fine. I have no idea why for at least three years my water in Sunrise Heights was 7.5ph but for the last 10 months it has been 10.4ph. I tested drinking water at 64th sw on Alki and one block off 106th in Arbor Heights and found them both to be above 10ph as well. I called SPU about the matter when it first happened, nothing to worry about they told me but no explanation as to what may have caused this change. What does it mean, does it matter, idk but don’t worry, it’s fine.

JCA March 3, 2016 (1:32 pm)

Agree, Casey.

Recently Flint, Michigan city & state governments said all was fine too. For more than a year…

We know how that turned out.

Anyone have ideas on how to ensure our drinking water is safe, and if our government workers our watching out for us?
Wylie Harper March 4, 2016 (12:25 pm)

Hi Casey,

My name is Wylie and I’m the
drinking water quality director at SPU. I want to understand more about the pH
testing you conducted and the experience you had when you called SPU. You can
reach me by phone: 206-684-7880 or email: wylie.harper@seattle.gov . SPU sets
a specific pH target value at our treatment facilities of 8.2 and measures pH
continuously at the treatment facilities. This optimum value was deliberately
selected based on our low alkalinity source water with the goal of optimizing
corrosion control. As water flows through the system, pH values can fluctuate
between 7 and 9, but typically maintain an average of 8.2. SPU also collects pH
samples throughout the system at multiple locations several days each week.
These samples are analyzed at our lab and results are reported to the
Washington State Department of Health. We would be glad to talk or meet with
any customer who has water quality questions or concerns. Please contact me
directly.
- Jill Langley March 4, 2016 (12:48 pm)
  
  my water is still discolored as of 12:45 today, Friday. When is this issue to be cleared????
  - WSB March 4, 2016 (12:55 pm)
    
    Jill – I’m calling SPU again today. Has your water been discolored since the earlier incident? Or is this new? And where are you? You can e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com if you don’t want to comment with that info here. This shouldn’t still be a holdover from the vactor truck of two days ago … TR
    - Jill Langley March 4, 2016 (1:18 pm)
      
      I just sent you an email. But we noticed the problem this morning. I have also emailed all my neighbors to see if anyone is having the same problem today. Thank you for your follow up.

Joel March 3, 2016 (4:37 pm)

10.4 PH seems really high, what are you testing this with? Note that alkalinity of water isn’t a reflection on actual health quality, it would merely seem ‘hard’ and would have a change in perception on the water not the reality of the water being healthy. It would not be anywhere near a quality issue like Flint, etc.

Diane March 3, 2016 (7:20 pm)

I had brown water in Belvidere on Jan 14; called the #; they don’t even investigate; they just repeat the same line, “hydrant testing” and “safe to use”; I really wish there was some level of courtesy to inform residents prior, if they know they’re going to be doing testing; taking a shower in brown water, not fun