UPDATE: Thousands lose water in West Seattle, after big break at 24th/Kenyon

4:18 PM: We’ve just heard from several people in Gatewood and Sunrise Heights who are suddenly without water. Nothing’s on the Seattle Public Utilities outage map so far. We’re checking with SPU; in the meantime, here’s the number to call if it’s happened to you – 206-386-1800 (although we’re being told people are having trouble getting through).

(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)

4:34 PM: Highland Park is affected too. Our crew has just confirmed there’s a broken line at 24th/Kenyon – and describes the water going up from it as a “geyser.” Photo added.

4:40 PM: Another angle:

(Video added:)

There’s also word of some nearby apartments being flooded. This is the same area where “natural drainage system” work has been under way, as reported here in June.

4:55 PM: Yet another view added above. We’re waiting to hear from SPU on how long it’s expected to take to get water service back. So far this is believed to be a 24″-wide water main.

5:06 PM: From SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register: “Crews are on the scene to shut down water at the site of the break (SW Kenyon and 24th Ave SW) with the goal of restoring service to customers who are temporarily without water, but I don’t yet have a estimate of when service will be restored.”

5:31 PM: Per commenters, at least some water is back, and the geyser’s been shut off. (added) Here’s a texted photo – thank you!

6:08 PM: We’ve just confirmed at the scene that what’s ruptured is indeed a 24″ line:

No word yet on exactly how this happened. The outage is now shown on the SPU map but the information is incomplete – it doesn’t show the full area affected, and it attributes the problem to “planned outage,” with a restoration estimate of 10 pm (though as you know if you’ve been with us for power-outage coverage, those estimates seldom bear any resemblance to what eventually happens – sometimes much earlier, sometimes much later).

6:41 PM: No further updates from SPU so far. Some commenters are reporting that they have water but it’s brown – disruptions of even much smaller size tend to cause that, stirring up “sediment” (mostly rust) in the lines. Here’s some SPU advice on how to handle that.

7:30 PM: As noted by SFD, residents of at least six apartments were forced out by flooding. This video by Ben Rupp of MKH.MFG shows how the water battered the apartments like waves in a winter storm:

Also received: This photo from a texter showing how Longfellow Creek’s water level rose because of all the spewed water:

8:32 PM: Update from SPU:

SPU has restored service to most if not all of the customers in West Seattle who were without water late Monday afternoon. A 24-inch water main break at SW Kenyon and 24th Ave SW caused hundreds of customers to temporarily lose service.

If customers experience temporary water discoloration as their service is restored, we recommend they wait until it clears before drinking it. They can run the cold water for a few minutes to see if it clears. More tips can be found on our website.

SPU is working on a plan to repair the 24-inch water main. We don’t know what caused the break but are looking into it.

9:13 PM: Revised estimate from SPU: They now believe about 2,000 customers (homes/businesses/etc.) were without water during the peak of the outage.

152 Replies to "UPDATE: Thousands lose water in West Seattle, after big break at 24th/Kenyon"

  • HA August 15, 2022 (4:19 pm)

    Highland Park also has no water.

  • Jo August 15, 2022 (4:19 pm)

    Out in Highland Park too.

  • Steve August 15, 2022 (4:19 pm)

    Highland Park too

  • M August 15, 2022 (4:20 pm)

    No water in Highland Park as of 4pm.

  • Nikole Archer August 15, 2022 (4:21 pm)

    Highland park as well! 

  • Lesli August 15, 2022 (4:22 pm)

    That phone number actually goes to a deadline. My husbands been trying to get through to someone for 10 minutes and keeps getting disconnected or transferred to a deadline….

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:34 pm)

      206-386-1800 is a number at SPU that we’ve referred people to many, many times over the years. Maybe it’s having trouble if it’s being slammed with calls. I tried quickly and got busy signal but it’s very much a valid SPU number.

    • Jenni Standard August 15, 2022 (4:36 pm)

      I was on hold on that number for 20 minutes. Finally gave up.

  • uncle loco August 15, 2022 (4:22 pm)

    No water in Highland Park.

  • Jen August 15, 2022 (4:23 pm)

    Our water pressure in Riverview/Highland Park is low – maybe 50% of normal.

    • Curious August 15, 2022 (4:32 pm)

      No water here at 36th Holden 

  • Steve August 15, 2022 (4:23 pm)

    Outage map shows an outage between Kenyon and Thistle west of 16th, which lines up with the HP streets down as well.SPU outage line busy.

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:30 pm)

      That’s an update in the last few minutes. Thanks.

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:31 pm)

      What map are you looking at?
      https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/neighborhood-projects/water-outages
      shows no emergency outages anywhere. Just future planned outages.

    • Neighbor 74 August 15, 2022 (4:37 pm)

      That’s showing an outage planned for 8/22, not one that is happening right now. If you switch to list view you can see the Kenyon  and 24th SW planned outage.

  • HpMomma August 15, 2022 (4:24 pm)

    No water in Highland Park, either. 

  • Steve August 15, 2022 (4:24 pm)

    Yes, no wAter by Westys on 35th

  • Aimee Kelly August 15, 2022 (4:24 pm)

    Our neighbor rode by Chief Sealth High School and said there is a geyser of water, maybe from a construction project issue. Sounds like the fire department is over there.

  • Parched August 15, 2022 (4:25 pm)

    We are out in Westwood also.  31st SW & SW Kenyon.

  • Amber S August 15, 2022 (4:26 pm)

    yup… I’m at 35th and Ida St. No water suddenly. The emergency line above is a busy tone. Can’t get through. :(

  • WS Resident August 15, 2022 (4:26 pm)

    Massive water line break at a construction site near Chief Sealth high school fyi

  • Ktrapp August 15, 2022 (4:26 pm)

    Upper Fauntleroy checking in.  We’ve got very low pressure.  That’s somewhat of a relief, as I had been working near our main interior water line, and thought I had done something!And yes, I can confirm the SPU line is ringing busy.

  • Theresa August 15, 2022 (4:26 pm)

    Water out at our house on Monroe.  

  • Sandy August 15, 2022 (4:28 pm)

    Brown water in Highland Park

  • Landon August 15, 2022 (4:28 pm)

    This is happening to us in Highland Park as well

  • Highland Parker August 15, 2022 (4:29 pm)

    No water in Highland Park – 7700 block of 14th Ave. SW  about 4:15 PM.

  • WS Resident August 15, 2022 (4:29 pm)

    Massive water line break at construction site near Chief Sealth high school fyi

  • Eric August 15, 2022 (4:29 pm)

    Water off by Highland Park Elementary too

  • LS August 15, 2022 (4:29 pm)

    We don’t have water (Highland Park area). 

  • Kristi Hester August 15, 2022 (4:30 pm)

    Yes, we are between Holden and Webster and have no water. Busy signal when calling, so haven’t been able to report it.

  • JSM August 15, 2022 (4:30 pm)

    Highland park has lost water

  • Griz August 15, 2022 (4:30 pm)

    The phone number for the response team is constantly busy now.  

  • Rache August 15, 2022 (4:31 pm)

    Water pressure very low at my Gatewood home. I called 206 684-3000 and am on hold. I’ll listen to the jazzy on-hold music for maybe another 10 minutes. At least I’m not the only one dealing with the water problem!  206

  • Jim August 15, 2022 (4:31 pm)

    I live at 7919 30 th Ave SW and we and several of our neighbors are without water. I talked to a rep at SPU  who said they are aware and have dispatched an emergency team. The rep said the cause and extent is uncertain at this time.

  • Sam B. August 15, 2022 (4:33 pm)

    We’re just downhill from Highland Park and our whole block is out. I just spoke to someone at SPU and they said that the outage is affecting a large portion of West Seattle. A crew is working on it, and they don’t have an estimate for when it will be fixed. I mentioned the map, and the CSR I spoke to said the map is actually only for electrical outages, not water.  

    Edit: Just heard from a neighbor who has a relative working for SPU and they say it’s a water main break.

  • Westsider August 15, 2022 (4:34 pm)

    SFD says 24” water main break at 22nd and Holden. 

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:40 pm)

      That’s not the exact address. We’re there firsthand and adding more info and photos.

    • David August 15, 2022 (4:45 pm)

      Broke a 24” main? Ya’ fired!

  • CDAD August 15, 2022 (4:34 pm)

    Our water is out on 32nd and Holden. I guess its Miller Time!!!

    • HpMomma August 15, 2022 (4:45 pm)

      Thanks what I just said. “Oh well, guess it’s beer for us tonight!” 😂

    • David August 15, 2022 (4:45 pm)

      Blue Moon!

  • M August 15, 2022 (4:34 pm)

    No water at 31st. My husband has been on the phone for over 20 minutes trying to report it to SPU. Has anyone gotten through to SPU?

  • Kenyon August 15, 2022 (4:35 pm)

    No water at 35th SW and SW Kenyon 

  • Tim August 15, 2022 (4:35 pm)

    Seattle public utilities said there is a water main break and they are sending a crew to investigate.

  • Stacy August 15, 2022 (4:38 pm)

    Our water is out on Holden. Thank you so much WS Blog.  I would have called a plumber and be out thousands of dollars if it were not for this post. I am very grateful.  But now I’m suddenly very thirsty. LOL

    • Curious August 15, 2022 (4:44 pm)

      I thought my main pipe was broken… Phew

  • David August 15, 2022 (4:39 pm)

    84xx 12th SW, absolutely no agua

  • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:39 pm)

    Found it – just added photo. Big break at 24th/Kenyon.

  • Pup August 15, 2022 (4:39 pm)

    30th and Kenyon is out.

  • Casey August 15, 2022 (4:40 pm)

    Super low water pressure in High Point. 

  • David August 15, 2022 (4:42 pm)

    32nd between Myrtle and Othello, pressure is much lower than normal. 

    • David August 15, 2022 (5:20 pm)

      Update: No water on 32nd between Myrtle and Othello now.

  • Mark B August 15, 2022 (4:43 pm)

    I guess they should’ve dialed 411 before working on those sidewalks 🤣

  • JB August 15, 2022 (4:45 pm)

    No water in Roxhill either. 34th and Elmgrove

  • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:46 pm)

    We’re told at the scene that SPU is well aware of this (and has crews on the way) so no need any more to call to report it.

  • Tracey August 15, 2022 (4:46 pm)

    Good preparation for that earthquake.  Imagine no water or electric….for days.  That is where they are working to repair the footbridge over longfellow creek, I believe.

    • jo August 16, 2022 (1:06 pm)

      yes

  • Tasha August 15, 2022 (4:46 pm)

    Does anyone know roughly how long it will take for a repair like this?

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (4:50 pm)

      The SPU crews hadn’t even arrived yet as of a short time ago. The question is whether there’s a chance water can be rerouted while this is fixed.

  • miws August 15, 2022 (4:48 pm)

    Low-pressure, 9000 block of 16th SW… —Mike

  • Eric August 15, 2022 (4:48 pm)

    I’m in Gatewood, low water pressure and very BROWN!

  • Peter August 15, 2022 (4:48 pm)

    Just a trickle in upper Gatewood near the water towers. Our neighbor reports the same. 

  • X August 15, 2022 (4:49 pm)

    They had a planned outage at 24th and Kenyon and then a line burst there? Sounds like someone beefed it.    

  • Ted August 15, 2022 (4:50 pm)

    Water barely flowing (at best) at 32nd and Elmgrove.

  • Joel August 15, 2022 (4:50 pm)

    Our water is out at 39th and Thistle. Just spoke with the neighbor at 40th and Thistle. They’re out as well.

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (5:05 pm)

      That may be the west edge … we’re a few blocks west of there and our water seems fine, so far. Thanks to everyone sharing location information. this is really one of the biggest water outages I can recall in our 15+ years of doing this,

  • Tiffani August 15, 2022 (4:51 pm)

    Low water pressure in High Point at 31st and Myrtle (about 40-50% of normal pressure). I knew this blog would have an answer for this issue. Thanks to everyone who contributes!

  • B + B August 15, 2022 (4:51 pm)

    No water at 36th and Webster; the phone line provided for SPU has been ‘busy’ nonstop for the last 10 minutes or so – hope they see the blog to get an extent of the outage!

  • Paula August 15, 2022 (4:55 pm)

    I called SPU and they told me it would be fixed in an hour!  There is no way thats going to be fixed that quickly!

  • EJ August 15, 2022 (4:56 pm)

    I came on here to see if anyone else was experiencing low water pressure in Arbor Heights. I live in north Arbor Heights and still have water but the pressure is drastically reduced.

  • O stover August 15, 2022 (4:58 pm)

    Soap in my eyes , poor timing for a shower. Sudden drop Low low pressure. Was able to rinse .as it slowed to a trickle.Crisis somewhat averted. Will have to apologize to the Wife-thought she was using the water.City number busy and slow or no response. But this post!!! Thank you blog

  • Laurie August 15, 2022 (4:58 pm)

    Is low water pressure water safe to drink?

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (5:03 pm)

      Is it discolored?

      • Bob August 15, 2022 (5:38 pm)

        Yes its brown

      • Jody Hapgood August 15, 2022 (6:37 pm)

        Mine is full pressure but brown 

  • Troy S August 15, 2022 (5:00 pm)

    No water on the 7500 block of 35th SW.

  • leo August 15, 2022 (5:00 pm)

    Lives in between colverdale and treason at highland park!  Low water pressure and I thought to check seattleblog-  ohhhh water pipe broke – water geyser-  now the crews going to fix it!   Time for wiskey! 🤣

  • Mj August 15, 2022 (5:05 pm)

    Maybe if the City would prioritize MAINTENANCE this type of disruption to our day to day activities could be reduced. 

    Over 2 years without the WSB has been extremely tough.  And still the City isn’t fully funding maintenance!

    • Neighbor August 15, 2022 (5:24 pm)

      What the hell are you on about?  This was clearly a construction accident.  AKA maintenance. What does this have to do with the bridge?

      • Mark August 15, 2022 (7:37 pm)

        Clearly it’s the 100 year old water pipe at 200psi from the water tower on 35 ave. Duh.

    • K August 15, 2022 (5:26 pm)

      Tell the people who want all the funding to go to police that the city has other spending priorities.  Or tell the people who hate all taxes that you can’t fund police OR maintenance without them.   Endlessly yelling about what one doesn’t like without a practical path forward is the least helpful response to everything.

      • Mark August 15, 2022 (7:38 pm)

        SPU is run off of you paying your water bill not your property taxes

      • Robert J Schmidt August 16, 2022 (9:58 pm)

        Lots of money. Just a matter of who gets it.

  • Steph August 15, 2022 (5:10 pm)

    Just adding also extremely low water pressure at 36th and Othello. Going to smell amazing after my soccer game tonight in 80+ degree weather. Can’t wait. 

  • Keith August 15, 2022 (5:14 pm)

    37th and Southern is out as well — really envying my neighbors with Culligan service now :) 

  • JH August 15, 2022 (5:14 pm)

    Do the helicopters now circling overhead have anything to do with this? I’m on 7100 block of 30th Ave SW and they’ve been constant for the last 7-8 minutes. 

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (5:49 pm)

      That was the shared TV helicopter.

  • Niko August 15, 2022 (5:16 pm)

    LIVE Feed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0iqrZv8iVg 

    • YES2WS August 16, 2022 (6:44 am)

      Thank goodness for that tree! The apartment on the corner would have been pummeled. 

  • Peter August 15, 2022 (5:20 pm)

    Water just came gurgling back on for us here in Highland Park.

  • Kc August 15, 2022 (5:20 pm)

    THANK YOU @wsb for this reporting. You saved us from immediate panic and thinking we needed a repair. I headed straight to the blog for your super fast reporting. 

    We are at SW Kenyon & California and have been out of water since around 4:15pm

  • Morealex August 15, 2022 (5:21 pm)

    WATER BACK ON at our place in Highland Park (between 13th & Thistle) – for now at least :-)

  • Jo August 15, 2022 (5:22 pm)

    I’m at 8th and Elmgrove and hearing (presumably news) helicopters now over towards the area of the break. WSB deserves a Pulitzer. Thank you for always being on top of everything! 

  • Janet August 15, 2022 (5:22 pm)

    It’s back in Highland Park  (water(

  • Jenny August 15, 2022 (5:22 pm)

    Decreased water in Arbor Heights. Trickling.

  • miws August 15, 2022 (5:27 pm)

    As of about 5:20 pm, pressure seems closer to normal 9000 block 16th SW… —Mike

  • Mightymoss August 15, 2022 (5:28 pm)

    The Geyser spray has been shut off at least

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (5:30 pm)

      thanks for the update!

  • Kirk August 15, 2022 (5:29 pm)

    The Seattle gis map says this is an 8 inch iron pipe.https://gisrevprxy.seattle.gov/wab_ext/DSOResearch_Ext/

  • Sean August 15, 2022 (5:30 pm)

    Longfellow creek is picking up all the water flow, I live on the creek and the flow has doubled or trippled in the last half hour.

  • Neighbor August 15, 2022 (5:33 pm)

    Can we just take a moment to say THANK YOU to WSB for providing an invaluable service of information flow to the community. My fears of my own water issue was instantly relieved when I saw this post. Thank you to the folks that post on WSB!!!!

    • JenT August 15, 2022 (6:01 pm)

      A HUGE yes to this!! Thanks, WSB, for always keeping us informed!!

    • Momof3boys August 15, 2022 (6:09 pm)

      Agreed!! Thanks Tracy & Patrick!! 

  • Cynthia August 15, 2022 (5:34 pm)

    I rushed home to check and at 31st and Trenton we have water. and this also explains why people were buying up so much water at Target. Good luck everyone. 

  • Bob August 15, 2022 (5:36 pm)

    We have low water pressure near Westwood, but the water is filthy brown, stinky and unusable.WTF is that all about?

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (5:44 pm)

      When there’s a disturbance in the line, the “sediment” – mostly rust – tends to get stirred up. This was so common in West Seattle several years ago that they did a peninsula-wide series of flushes!

      • Jack August 15, 2022 (6:00 pm)

        Is it safe to drink?

      • Bob August 15, 2022 (6:21 pm)

        So when will it be safe to drink and use? Seems like the stink is pollution. The heavy metals are also dangerous. Who’s going to pay for the flush and water testing?

  • V August 15, 2022 (5:43 pm)

    I’m around SW Kenyon and 9th Ave SW, on the hill side and have normal water, but my mom in 14th Ave SW & SW Henderson area doesn’t have any water. My friend around SW Holden and 25th Ave SW reportedly has water. 

  • Jenny August 15, 2022 (5:49 pm)

    Stop the presses! Our water is fine. It was a clogged faucet.

  • Nichole August 15, 2022 (5:49 pm)

    Wait, we’re there two breaks? One at Chief Sealth and one at the apartments on Delridge? 

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (7:22 pm)

      No, there is one break. Some who aren’t familiar with the area might describe it as “near Chief Sealth” (though if you’re going to give it a school reference, Denny IMS would be closer) …

  • Waterfall August 15, 2022 (5:50 pm)

    Longfellow creek is getting close to breaching the banks!

  • Shane August 15, 2022 (5:51 pm)

    Live about two blocks away but still have water (north side of holden).  Walked down to check it out and it sure looks like many of the ground floor apts at Westhaven on the E side of 24th were flooded.  News copter was over head for half an hour or more but it sounds like they might have left.   It was still flowing pretty hard but nothing like the earlier pics.

  • Fauntleroy August 15, 2022 (6:00 pm)

    Until it is repaired….Please let there be no fires.  May SFD be safe.

  • JenT August 15, 2022 (6:02 pm)

    When the water comes back on… if it’s brown… is there something we’re supposed to do, like turn on all the taps for a few minutes to clear it? Have never had this happen before! TIA.

    • K August 15, 2022 (8:46 pm)

      Honestly, if you can wait to use water, it’s better to give it a few hours for the sediment to settle, since all your neighbors will be running water at the same time.  Then, run for a few minutes to flush the brown out.  But if everyone runs their water at the same time, it just stays brown.

      • JenT August 16, 2022 (7:28 am)

        Thanks!

  • Jackie August 15, 2022 (6:09 pm)

    Water seems to be back in high point. Still low flow but back!

  • Brooke August 15, 2022 (6:13 pm)

    Water is back in gatewood

  • Jack August 15, 2022 (6:27 pm)

    Is it safe to drink the water after an event like this?  Ours is slightly brown

  • jenilittleton August 15, 2022 (6:43 pm)

    I live in the apartment shown by the live footage on Kiro. That water main has been leaking for years and has been reported several times. The east side of the bridge is always muddy from the leak.

    • Tracey August 15, 2022 (7:09 pm)

      That probably explains the pallets that are always placed there for walkers.  I wondered about this.  Thought it was from the creek.   So this was a “deferred maintenance” project then?  

      • WSB August 15, 2022 (7:20 pm)

        No, not maintenance. We mentioned this fairly early in the story above. We covered the project plan in June:

        https://westseattleblog.com/2022/06/footbridge-trail-art-ahead-as-natural-drainage-systems-work-expands-to-24th-kenyon/

        • Tracey August 15, 2022 (7:35 pm)

          Just wondering because the commenter above says “the water main in that location has been leaking for years and has been reported several times?”  Could the persistent leak have been exacerbated by the drainage work in the area?

      • jenilittleton August 15, 2022 (7:22 pm)

        Yes, anytime someone in the neighborhood came across a pallet it was added to the pathway. That bridge connects the bus riders to Delridge and a route to Denny and Chief Sealth. 

  • Janet August 15, 2022 (6:57 pm)

    Water between California and 41st on Holden is trickle but getting stronger and there is no discoloration or smell.  Did call SPU a couple hours ago and got straight thru and spoke with Ashley and she informed us they were just starting the map showing outage.  All in all, it just shows how much we depend on our utilities and lifestyle and the convenience.  With this water  debacle and the way people act, you would think we are in a 3rd world country.  THANK YOU SPU for all your hard work in repairing the break!

    • Bob August 15, 2022 (7:13 pm)

      Yes! Repairing the break was fast…amazing. What now about the wildly dirty water? Please offer guidance about water quality and flushing. If we need to run water for an hour is the city paying for the water bill? My water is so dirty it looks like sewage. Scary so we need feedback please.

      • John Smith August 16, 2022 (12:11 am)

        Bob, no, you will not receive a discount. The water department (current name Seattle Public Utilities Water Line of Business) point of view is that they are in the business of selling water.

      • Matt August 16, 2022 (9:18 am)

        Bob, you keep asking SPU questions on the WSB. Do you know how to internet?

  • Michele August 15, 2022 (7:16 pm)

    Water is back on 35th near Holden! Thanks WSB for creating space for the community conversation and updates.

  • Robyn August 15, 2022 (7:27 pm)

    West Seattle blog is the greatest, the only place you can get updates on what’s happening unlike SPU

  • Sandy August 15, 2022 (8:38 pm)

    Last year Kirkland had a water main break which resulted in a boil water advisory. Will use bottled water for now.https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Whats-Happening/News/Kirkland-Residents-in-the-Area-of-the-Water-Main-Break-Advised-to-Boil-Water

  • JO August 15, 2022 (9:00 pm)

    27th & Kenyon is still without any water…

  • Kc August 15, 2022 (9:13 pm)

    We don’t  have water at Kenyon and California. 9:13pm

  • WSB August 15, 2022 (9:18 pm)

    Anybody who’s still out, I would suggest trying 206-386-1800 to be sure they know

  • Sara August 15, 2022 (9:24 pm)

    Thank you, WSB for all the updates! I heard that some apartments had flooded. Is this true? If so, does anyone need anything?

    • WSB August 15, 2022 (10:36 pm)

      That’s mentioned in the story: Six, according to SFD. Hopefully if anyone knows they’ll comment here or contact us. Also hope if needed they’ve accessed disaster services such as the Red Cross.

      • Westhaven resident August 15, 2022 (10:51 pm)

        The displaced residents have been taken to a hotel for the night is what I heard. Several units have a lot of damage from flooding and the water pressure even broke some windows. Very sad but glad no one was hurt by any of the damage!

  • Christine Leahy August 15, 2022 (9:36 pm)

    We live in upper Gatewood between Morgan & Willow and we didn’t lose water but now it’s running brown. 

  • John Smith August 15, 2022 (10:35 pm)

    Here are some notes and observations from my perspective as a retired heavy equipment operator:Water main breaks can very quickly and devastatingly hydraulically excavate the area around the break [1]. So the first thing to do is to partially close down the nearest valves (thereby reducing the flow) for the water main in order to stop the hydraulic excavation.Slowing the flow to where it prevents hydraulic excavation while still providing as much water flow as possible is the goal.Seattle’s water department has two yards (one in the north end, and one in the south end) where the backhoes, trucks, and trailers are based. It takes time for the water department truck drivers and backhoe operators with standby responsibility to get to the yard, then it takes more time to get the backhoe and truck to the water main break.Vertical breaks are surprisingly precise, and can be relatively easily repaired with a sleeve placed on the outside of the pipe. A horizontal break as seen in a photo of this current break requires a replacement of a section of the water main, so it is more complicated and the repair lasts longer.The direction of water flow in a water main can go either direction, depending on the pressure inside the various pipes.This is a significant water main break.[1] area of a circle = pi multiplied by r squared. The significant factor is r because it is squared (radius to the power of two, which is the radius multiplied by the radius). Radius is half the diameter.

  • WSCurmudgeon August 16, 2022 (6:18 am)

    There have been far worse infrastructure failures in Seattle.  I saw this one myself:

    Trunk sewer in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood caves in on November 11, 1957. – HistoryLink.org

    https://www.historylink.org/File/3138

    Hydraulic excavation!

  • Milo August 16, 2022 (7:52 am)

    This situation points out the need to keep containers of fresh water in your apartment, house, or property. If an earthquake strikes and breaks water pipes or causes huge leaks, the fixers may not be able to get to the problem quickly. We all need water to survive. Research how much and get an emergency backup in place. 

  • Delridge Resident August 16, 2022 (8:43 am)

    I’m a little late to comment.  While my water was fortunately unaffected, this might be a good opportunity to remind folks to always have water and other supplies on hand for emergencies like this, other utility outages, or natural disasters.https://mil.wa.gov/preparedness

  • WiseWoman August 16, 2022 (9:51 am)

    Investing in Infrastructure shoulda been happening long before Find it Fix it attitude

  • Jeepney August 16, 2022 (10:26 am)

    I think this is a sign of things to come.  Our ancient infrastructure is crumbling and there are very few funds to upgrade current water supply lines.  I know SPU has raised rates to begin rebuilding, but there is so much work that needs to be done.

  • Robert J Schmidt August 16, 2022 (10:08 pm)

    Great reporting as we’ve gotten used to but still appreciate. Wish this kind journalism was the norm rather than the exception. Again, THANX boys and girls and keep up the good work.

  • Deb August 18, 2022 (8:55 am)

    Is anyone else having not clear water and air in the line still? Also my toilet was running this morning 

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