UPDATE: Beach Drive reopens after sewer-pipe break

(South of the break, photo by Kersti Muul)

1:56 PM: Thanks for the tips. A water break in the 6700 block of Beach Drive [map] has closed the street to traffic, north of Lowman Beach. SFD is on scene. More shortly.

2:44 PM: Firefighters remain on site and SPU has arrived. They’re not sure whether this is a water line or sewer line but it broke under the street. The closure’s not likely to end any time soon. Residents are using sandbags.

4:22 PM: SPU says “we currently believe that no SPU water or drainage/sewer infrastructure is involved.”

4:32 PM: We’re now trying to find out whose line it was. Meantime, Kersti reports that Beach Drive has reopened.

5:52 PM: Just went back down for a look. Whatever is leaking, it’s coming up through cracks in the street and along the sidewalk even more vigorously than it was when we stopped by four hours ago. A King County truck is there, too.

12:13 AM: King County Wastewater Treatment Division has finally confirmed it was their pipe, in a late-night news release. It says, “Flows from the leaking pipe were diverted to a second pipe … The leak overflowed into storm drains and through an outfall near Lowman Beach Park, … Crews worked through the evening to clean the streets. … County staff posted caution signs along the water near the outfall, and water quality testing will begin at first light on Friday morning. King County reported the overflow to health and regulatory agencies.”

(Added: Photo from a Beach Drive neighbor)

We’ll be following up further later Friday.

6 Replies to "UPDATE: Beach Drive reopens after sewer-pipe break"

  • Still blocked March 3, 2022 (3:04 pm)

    2:58pm & still blocked

  • Kersti Elisabeth Muul March 3, 2022 (4:25 pm)

    Open

    • WSB March 3, 2022 (4:31 pm)

      Thanks. Still trying to find out exactly what happened, since SPU says the line wasn’t theirs.

  • Nearlowman March 3, 2022 (9:17 pm)

    Just saw a recology hazmat truck go towards the intersection while walking the dog. Is it related?

  • Jay March 4, 2022 (8:27 am)

    It feels like this kind of incident happens way too often. It was less than a year ago that a broken sewer line at the Bonaire intersection contaminated the sound, and it seems like there’s an issue at least 1-2 times a year.

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