UPDATE: Brown water in Upper Alki

| Utilities | West Seattle news

9:04 PM: Thanks to Maureen for the info: She reports “orange/brown water out of our cold-water faucets” near Admiral Way/59th. Any time you notice discolored water, report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800, which she’s doing now, and let us know too – back in 2016, it happened in so many areas, SPU eventually carried out a large-scale flush of water lines around the peninsula.

9:47 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s added comments about what they’re seeing/hearing. Here’s the SPU page about discolored (and otherwise problematic) water.

ADDED TUESDAY EVENING: SPU says they haven’t figured out the cause but they heard from 21 customers between 8 last night and 9:30 this morning. The water should have cleared up by now – let them know if it hasn’t.

Jill January 23, 2023 (9:10 pm)

Just got a call back from SPU, they believe someone was stealing water from a hydrant. The brown color is due to iron settlement and hopefully will clear in the next 24 hours. Advised not to wash clothes (will stain), and not drink (will not taste good ha!). Eventually water will become yellow then clear but not sure how long it will take.

g000se January 23, 2023 (9:13 pm)

It’s all faucets (also 59th & Admiral). Any ideas on how long it takes to clear once fixed?

waikikigirl January 24, 2023 (7:03 am)

There was a house fire around the corner from us a year or so ago and it took the water a good 6 to 8 hours to go clear again. Patience is a virtue! :>)
- waikikigirl January 24, 2023 (7:09 am)
  
  I should had mentioned no one was hurt and not a big loss of anything in the house thank goodness!

jan January 23, 2023 (9:19 pm)

Brown water also at 57th and Admiral. Noticed it about 8:30 pm.

Emily January 23, 2023 (9:33 pm)

I saw what looked like a city employee in a marked “water” truck opening a water hydrant in front of Alki Elementary and letting the water spray down the street at about 8pm when I was out walking my dog. I thought it was odd, but didn’t think anything else of it until about 9pm when our water turned brown.

Ben January 23, 2023 (9:33 pm)

Spu says they have an inspector looking into it. I’ll follow up with a comment if/when they get back to me

Chris January 23, 2023 (11:39 pm)

Same issue at 57th and Admiral. Saw the same trucks near Alki Elementary around 8 pm who had opened up fire hydrant and were letting water out onto street. Appeared to be SPU trucks so maybe they were flushing the lines.

Flo B January 24, 2023 (6:32 am)

No discoloration noticed in area of 61st & Stevens either last evening or this morning at 6am.

Megan January 24, 2023 (7:41 am)

We’re still seeing yellowish water by us 60th and Admiral. Has it resolved for anyone? A call to SPU last night said it would only be a few more hours.

A-Red January 24, 2023 (8:32 am)

Keep in mind the water in your home will be brown/yellow/orange until you run enough water that it clears your pipes.

Jenn Merritt January 24, 2023 (9:35 am)

Still yellow this AM. Called SPU. They said they have a lot of calls from the area. They told me someone would call when they had time. Ooooh. Just put a load in the washer! Yikes!

Jenn Merritt January 24, 2023 (9:53 am)

Got a call back. They said wait two hours. Then run cold water closest to water main entering house for a few minutes and repeat: two hours/run cold water until it gets better. Wouldn’t say how long it would take.

WSB January 24, 2023 (12:15 pm)

Thanks again to everyone for the updates. I have a formal inquiry in to SPU as of this morning, and will update with whatever more we hear too. – TR

Jenn Merritt January 24, 2023 (3:18 pm)

Still sorta brown yellow. Is it gone for anyone else? It’s better but still noticeable here. 56th and lander/Alki Ave

Billy H January 24, 2023 (3:37 pm)

Same here 56th, near Alki ave. Cold is better, but now hot water is worse. Ugh
Why January 24, 2023 (3:45 pm)

Admiral and 59th water has been clear since late morning. It was dark brown last night!

J L January 25, 2023 (9:44 am)

Admiral and 59th. Cold water clear. Hot water still a light brown color. Have been trying to flush lines in the shower, bath and kitchen sink for 15min now. Anybody else nearby noticing this also or have a solution? Please share.

bill January 25, 2023 (2:02 pm)

had to run a few hot cycles in the washing machine and run hot water everywhere a few times. Finally clear enough to feel safe in.
- J L January 25, 2023 (4:13 pm)
  
  Didn’t even think to try the washing machine. Appreciate the tips.

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