UPDATE: Water-main break in Fauntleroy, with some basement flooding, then second break nearby

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

4:05 PM: SFD is on the scene of what’s described as a water-main break in Fauntleroy, just west of the Endolyne business district, in the 9200 block of 46th SW. We’ve also received a report of discolored water in Morgan Junction.

(Texted photo)

We’re on the way to find out more.

4:29 PM: Adding photos. SFD and SPU are on the scene of the break. Water in the street is subsiding. Meantime, our texter from Morgan Junction called SPU (reminder: any water problem, call 206-386-1800) and said they indeed attributed it to a break. The discoloration, as is usual in these cases, is because of sediment – usually rust – getting stirred up in the line when there’s a problem.

5:36 PM: SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register tells us the break involves “some broken pipe” and continues, “Customers on 46th Ave SW between SW Wildwood Place and SW Brace Front Drive may be temporarily without water. We are working to excavate the location of the break for repair. It’s unknown how many customers are affected or the extent of any possible damage to a few homes in the area.” That damage includes some basement flooding – here’s a photo Catherine sent:

Catherine says she’s “downhill” from the break site.

9:21 PM: Update from SPU – since the first break, which involved an 8-inch pipe, there’s been a second one in the 9300 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, just a few blocks west. SPU says both should be repaired, with service restored, by morning. Regarding the first break, SPU’s update says, “Some customers may have experienced higher than normal water pressure during the break. The break was horizontal, which typically releases more water compared to a vertical break.”

32 Replies to "UPDATE: Water-main break in Fauntleroy, with some basement flooding, then second break nearby"

  • AJ March 2, 2023 (4:08 pm)

    I live near thriftway and water is clear here. 

    • Aaron March 2, 2023 (4:29 pm)

      I also live near Thriftway (Fauntleroy and Willow) and the water is not clear here.

    • Hallidie Haid March 2, 2023 (4:29 pm)

      Water main break is on 46th sw between brace point and wildwood. 

    • Ego March 3, 2023 (7:16 am)

      Live near thriftway on 47th Ave, my water is also brown.

    • Dot March 7, 2023 (1:53 pm)

      On March 2nd, my nearly new hot water tank released 2inches of water into my laundry  room that I had to shovel over to the floor drain which was put in the wrong place in the room, for an hour and a half.   Today I had to pay nearly $800.00 to have a pressure reducing valve on the water coming in to my house so I won’t have it happen again hopefully!  Now I wonder if the City has any responsibilities to me with all the water main breaks etc???? I live between the ferry and the park on Fauntleroy Way.

  • sw March 2, 2023 (4:22 pm)

    This is just the first in a series of catastrophic events caused by the shift in the cosmic plane following the closure of The Original Bakery. Bring back the maple bars and order shall be returned. 

    • Denden March 2, 2023 (5:01 pm)

      SW I could not agree with you more. Sorry, Bernie, you will just have to return.

    • Robert J Schmidt March 2, 2023 (8:32 pm)

      I knew there was more to it than what was on the surface. Usually WSB is on top of these things.

    • wscommuter March 3, 2023 (10:31 am)

      Unless we get the buttermilk donuts back, we can expect locusts and lamentations to follow.  

  • SuperAwesome March 2, 2023 (4:32 pm)

    Really brown water in Alki near the statue of liberty

  • Tom March 2, 2023 (4:33 pm)

  • Ryan March 2, 2023 (5:31 pm)

    Seeing light brown or yellowish water in Roxhill.

  • Infantry72 March 2, 2023 (5:42 pm)

    That’s not beer, folks!

    • Patrick March 2, 2023 (8:19 pm)

      Sure – but will it still give me a buzz?

    • Graciano March 3, 2023 (10:28 am)

      Yes it is, its called Brace Point IPA LOL!!!

  • Susan Rich March 2, 2023 (6:07 pm)

    Brown water here in Alki neighborhood too, that seems so far…

    • John Smith March 2, 2023 (11:50 pm)

      Susan Rich,The direction of flow in water mains on a local level (disregarding the overall regional water flow: water delivered to Seattle) can be in either direction, depending on current demand. Exceeding usual, normal maximum flow in local water mains (after a water main break, for example) disturbs accumulated mineral/whatever deposits on the inside of water main pipes. This is just my guess: water flow in your local main was faster than usual, so previously existing deposits inside your local water main were scoured away from the pipe, then suspended in the water flowing from your tap.

  • Niko March 2, 2023 (8:12 pm)

    It’s like we have the infrastructure of a third world country! Rotten power poles coming down in minor wind storms, power outages in both minor and severe wind storms, water main breaks and sewage leaks. What exactly do they use the money for that we pay to the utility companies?!

    • Kersti Elisabeth Muul March 3, 2023 (7:54 am)

      Have you ever been to a ‘third world country ‘?

      • thirdWorldCountryWithGucciBeltOnCredit March 3, 2023 (2:34 pm)

        I have lived in a 3rd world country and it is very similar to what’s happening here in one of the richest cities in the supposedly richest country in the world.This water better be not a health hazard otherwise I don’t see a difference to what’s happening in East Palestine. Deregulation of public infrastructure – did it happen here too?While they’re fixing the sewers, they should consider undergrounding the cables as well to not risk electrocuting people or enduring no electricity due to simple winds.

    • waikikigirl March 3, 2023 (8:07 pm)

      Speaking of power poles, the power pole right in front of our house was very scary looking for years, I called/emailed SCL a few weeks later one person came out and looked at it then few days later another,  then all of a sudden no parking signs went up a crew came out gave us power outage notes then the crew came disconnected, install and hooked back up. This took from email to finish no more than 3 months. The crew was amazing to watch do the work, each had a job and did it well and efficiently. You see a pole in question just call SCL they’ll do their job.

  • Gatewood March 2, 2023 (9:01 pm)

    What people seem to forget is all the additional stress on the 50 some year old city sewer and water mains from the new constriction apartment buildings in WS, 4-8 townhouses being built were a single house was. Those pipes are old and they are getting a lot more use. I doubt they were designed to facilitate such increase in use. Seems the upgrades only happen after a major problem. Bummer for the person who lives in the house with the flooded basement. Such a mess to clean up.I had to clean up a basement after a water heater gave out.  Document every damaged item hopefully their insurance company or the city will pay to restore the space and pay for damaged items. 

    • waterwise March 3, 2023 (6:57 pm)

      Such ignorant knee-jerk anti housing speculation is simply wrong. 
      Unless you are one of those West Seattle traditionalists who savor their old 7 gallon toilet, 20 gallon dishwasher and inefficient 40 gallon clothes washer as well as heritage high flow shower head, you are using much less water and releasing much less sewer than 50 years ago.
      Yours is not a novel supposition,
      just wrong.  
      Seattle uses about the same amount of water/sewer as in the 1950s despite our growth, due to water-wise fixtures and efficiency  requirements on new construction. 
      I hope you have gone water-wise!

  • BJG March 2, 2023 (9:31 pm)

    I believe it’s called run-to-failure maintenance. Much cheaper. The workers were out filling potholes in the neighborhood when I pointed out that ten feet away half the street was tilted and sinking a foot. We had a good laugh. Not on their to-do list.

    • Lola March 3, 2023 (10:58 am)

      BJG,  see even when it is pointed out to City Workers they expect us to use the Find It Fix It App.  Not have someone point it out to the workers who could let someone know with-in their facility of an imminent problem.I can’t believe how lax the City Has become on fixing problems with-in our City unless someone does it in one of their apps.  I am surprised that they don’t have a come donate your time to fill the pot-holes for us, or fix your own street if it is sagging. 

  • Alki_Neighbor March 3, 2023 (7:35 am)

    Alki resident here, still getting brown water this morning. 

    • Supplement March 3, 2023 (7:02 pm)

      Enjoy those magic Alki Beach minerals!
      Looks like my daughter’s kombucha,
      minus the scoby!

  • flimflam March 3, 2023 (9:24 am)

    Ugh. Terrible for the flooded homeowner(s?). Water damage can be a nightmare.

  • Stephanie March 3, 2023 (12:16 pm)

    If our water is still slightly discolored (near Fauntleroy across from Lincoln Park), is it not safe to drink? 

  • Shannon March 3, 2023 (3:42 pm)

    A little after 1:30pm today the water service was restored and repaired from the second water main break. We now have clear water at our home in Seaview/Morgan Junction. https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/neighborhood-projects/water-outages

  • Jenna March 3, 2023 (5:23 pm)

    When is it safe to drink? 

    • Supplement March 3, 2023 (7:09 pm)

      It was never unsafe to drink, otherwise, a ‘boil water order’  or similar warning would be the banner headline.

Sorry, comment time is over.