FOLLOWUP: Pipe repairs start Sunday at stuck-truck sinkhole

| Utilities | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo from Monday afternoon)

Another followup on the 24th SW/SW Kenyon sinkhole that got a Waste Management truck stuck for a while back on Monday afternoon: More about the cause, and the repairs, from Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Rachel Ramey:

SPU located a damaged 15-inch drainage pipe under the street that was clogged with debris and tree roots. Crew members cleaned the downstream pipe to remove debris. Repair crews will be onsite Sunday 7:30 am to 8 pm and Monday 7:30-5 pm for repairs. SPU expects to complete pipe repairs and a temporary patch on the roadway by mid-week, next week. SDOT permanent street repair will follow.

We had already reported Tuesday that a stormwater pipe was to blame, but this adds information about the size and scope of that problem.

K February 25, 2017 (9:59 am)

They just turned our water off. With out any notice. This is illegal..

Waterless Will February 25, 2017 (11:54 am)

Same here. No explanation of for how long either. 20+ units are currently without water at the West Ridge Park Apartments.
Kelli February 27, 2017 (2:11 pm)

Actually, it is not illegal for SPU to shut off the water without notice. SPU gives notice as a consideration, not because they have to.

Seattle Municipal Code

21.04.300 – City right to shut off water.
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The City reserves the right at any time, without notice, to shut off the water supply for repairs, extensions. nonpayment of rates, or any other reason, and the City shall not be responsible for any damage, such as bursting of boilers supplied by direct pressure; the breaking of any pipes or fixtures, stoppage or interruption of water supply, or any other damage resulting from the shutting off of water.

(Ord. 65877 § 22, 1935.)

Sonia February 26, 2017 (8:42 am)

The story didn’t say anything about the time of shut off at first, which probably means SPU didnt share info with WSB. SPU is doing a terrible job at notifying neighbors. Nothing was mentioned for Saturday. Why do they have to start when people are at home trying to get ready for the day?!

WSB February 26, 2017 (10:03 am)

Hi there. No, SPU said absolutely nothing about water shutoff being part of the work. Only road repair. And no one mentioned water service effects during the original problem, since it wasn’t a water-service line. I’ll follow up with SPU tomorrow, of course. How long was the water off for on Saturday?
- Sonia February 27, 2017 (12:03 am)
  
  I believe it came back around 1-2pm. It was off all morning, so maybe 5-6 hours. I also sent an email complaining to the PIO, but I don’t know if she’ll answer.

Ingrid Goodwin February 27, 2017 (2:12 pm)

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) apologizes to customers who
were not notified in advance about Saturday’s scheduled water shutdown. We
realize that not knowing about the shutdown caused a problem for some
customers.

It is SPU’s practice to provide advanced written notice (via
a door hanger) to impacted customers about non-emergency (scheduled)
water shutdowns. We are sorry that this did not take place on Saturday and have
acted to help ensure that this type of error does not occur in the future.

Ingrid Goodwin

Seattle Public Utilities