West Seattle, Washington
15 Tuesday
Seattle Public Utilities is about to start a round of testing in the Arbor Heights area that might look startling. Here’s the notice sent to us to share with the wider community:
SEWER INSPECTIONS WITH NON-TOXIC SMOKE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Seattle Public Utilities is using a testing method called “smoke testing” to find sewer leaks and/or pipe connection problems. A contractor, Pro-Vac, will be in your neighborhood blowing a colorless water vapor or “smoke” into sewer pipes via maintenance holes; the “smoke” is non-toxic and non-staining but may have a distinctive odor. “Smoke” or its odor is not anticipated to come into your house or building if your plumbing is in good working order and your “p-traps” (the U-shaped pipes under each drain) are filled with water.SCHEDULE
This work is scheduled for late July through end of August. You will receive a door hanger notice 24- to 48-hours before the inspection. Prior to the testing, consider running water for 30 seconds in all your sinks, baths, and showers and pouring water in exposed floor drains.LOCATION
The testing uses maintenance holes within the public right-of-way throughout the Arbor Heights Neighborhood. The “smoke” may travel up to 1,500 feet within the sewer pipe.IMPACTS
Homes and businesses will continue to receive normal sewer services during the inspection.
You may see or smell the “smoke” coming from maintenance holes in the street or right-of-way, sewer vents from roofs or coming out of the ground. This is normal and you do not need to do anything. You may talk with the on-site workers conducting the inspections if you have questions.
If you see or smell “smoke” in your house or building, open doors or windows to increase ventilation. The
vapor should clear within a few minutes.
If smoke continues to remain in your building for more than 5 minutes, talk with the field representatives or
on-site workers conducting the inspections. You may also contact SPU’s emergency Operations Response
Center (ORC) at (206) 386-1800.“Smoke” may have entered your building due to issues with your building’s sewer pipe vents and/or p-traps under sinks, tubs or other drains. If “smoke” came into your building that did not stop when you put water in a drain, please consider contacting a plumber to investigate possible issues with your plumbing.
Here’s the notice in PDF.
We’re getting reports of brown water in south Highland Park this morning. While that’s often a sign of hydrant testing this time of year,i it’s also sometimes a sign of trouble somewhere in the lines, so whenever it happens, be sure to report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.
8:55 PM: Thanks for the tip. Within this past hour, 261 homes/businesses lost power on the east side of The Junction, and our tipster says, “Power is out in the same exact area as three days ago. Same cause: A crow flew into a transformer.” The City Light map indeed says “bird/animal” as the cause. Earlier in the day, 13 homes in The Arroyos were out for hours, but vegetation was blamed for that.
10:41 PM: SCL map says they’re still out.
SUNDAY MORNING: Restored overnight.
3:50 PM: When we hear from readers about cable/internet outages, it’s usually very localized … but this one seems to be an exception. About half an hour ago, our CenturyLink service suddenly went out in Upper Fauntleroy. We had someone working outside so we thought maybe they’d pulled a cable. Then we started hearing from readers – mostly in Gatewood, but most recently a text from someone at California/Dakota. Anyone else? We are going to try reaching the CL media team but the holiday might make that a challenge.
4:01 PM: Posts on X (ex-Twitter) suggest this goes beyond Seattle. The official @CenturyLink account has someone replying to reports, only saying they’re looking into a “possible disruption.” But the CL website itself is down too (we got a 503 error, as did someone in a comment below). In addition to comments, we’re getting texts from all around West Seattle. Some mention Quantum is down too.
4:20 PM: On X, CL has yet to make a statement acknowledging the far-and-wide outage, and its website continues to serve an error message. … Commenters are trying a workaround that’s been circulating on social media; we have no way to verify (we’re using Comcast/Xfinity right now, lots of redundancy for business purposes).
5:17 PM: Some commenters mentioned their service just returned; ours appears to, as well, after a little more than two hours out. Still no official comment from CenturyLink/Lumen, however.
5:42 PM: And we’ve received the company statement:
We are currently addressing a network routing issue that caused a temporary service disruption for some customers. Our teams have identified the root cause and are actively working to restore full service as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we resolve this matter.
6 PM: Company spokesperson Matt Villarreal just sent an updated statement saying everyone should be back on: “… All services have since been fully restored. We understand how important it is to stay connected and sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding during this time.”
7:22 PM: Thanks for the tip. For the third consecutive day, there’s a power outage of note in West Seattle. This time, more than 300 customers are out east of California, between Edmunds and Genesee. No “wires down” SFD dispatch this time, so we’re not sure about its origin – the texter who tipped us said they heard a “boom” near Oregon/40th.
7:33 PM: Commenter Deborah says this was a case of bird vs. wire.
8:07 PM: Some have their power back already, and SCL shows the outage is down to 261 customers.
10:48 PM: Everybody’s back on since our last check.
In a comment during our power-outage coverage, someone wondered if the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 graduation ceremony would be affected. Turns out it was – but everybody adapted adeptly, says Amy, who sent the photo and report:
Just wanted to give a shout out to Boren STEM K-8 8th graders who had their 8th grade graduation this evening at the school with no power. They had to pivot with only an hour before the ceremony when the lights went out. They moved the event to the lunch room since it has windows and natural light, moved as many decorations as they could, and they had no mics or amplified music or slideshows as planned. The grads rolled with it all, gave their speeches, celebrated each other, and still had a great evening together. Congratulations to all the graduates!
(Added: Screenshot from City Light outage map)
4:59 PM: Thanks for the tips on the power outage. 911 log has a “wires down” call in 7000 block 18th SW. 6,300+ homes and businesses are out, per City Light, as far south as White Center. Updates to come.
5:08 PM UPDATE: A downed tree is to blame in the location above, per emergency radio.
5:22 PM UPDATE: Actually more than 7,300 customers out – the SCL outage map shows this as two outages with that total.
5:39 PM UPDATE: For those asking about restoration estimates, while the City Light map offers them, as we often caution people, don’t put much faith in those, as they’re not based on an actual assessment of the outage, so it could be much later – or much sooner (and they tend to change). Just remember two things: Don’t open your fridge/freezer (so the cool air lasts longer), and intersections with dark signals are all-way stops!
5:47 PM UPDATE: There’s the tree that’s to blame for this. Thanks to Michael for sending the photo!
6:35 PM: SCL’s map shows most customers now restored – down to fewer than 500 out, mostly in Highland Park/Riverview.
9:53 PM: As noted in comments, 438 are still out – for the record, here’s that map:
6:26 PM: Thanks for the tips. Power’s out for more than 200 homes in south Fauntleroy/Arbor Heights. One reader says an “explosion” preceded this; the SFD log shows a “wires down” call at 101st/Marine View Drive.
7:03 PM: One of our original tipsters, Andrew, says a tree fell on a line at that location; crews are there now. Here’s a neighbor’s photo, shared via Andrew:
7:35 PM: City Light now says 338 homes are out.
8:14 PM: Map is back to 204 homes. A note if you’re paying attention to the “estimated restoration time” – which has moved from 1 to 2 am – it’s not based on anything much, SCL has admitted in the past, so it could be back on much sooner … or later. Most important advice: Don’t open your fridge/freezer, so the cold air lasts longer.
9:22 PM: City Light says all but 28 homes have power back.
6:12 PM: We have multiple reports of a power outage affecting the Element 42 building next to Admiral Safeway. Does it go beyond the building? We don’t know because so far, it’s not showing on the Seattle City Light map. And residents have been having trouble getting through to SCL to be sure they’re at least aware of it – if you call the outage hotline, you get a message saying it’s not working. We’re trying to reach SCL’s after-hours media to see if they can at least confirm it’s being worked on. One of our tipsters say balloons hitting power lines may be to blame.
6:14 PM: Literally while we typed the above paragraph, the outage finally appeared on the map after more than an hour, though for starters it says “one customer” (which could just be a reference to the Element 42 building).
10:42 PM: Map indicates it’s been fixed since last time we checked.
Guy reports brown water at his residence at 58th/Alki. No incidents reported on the SPU water-trouble map; sometimes discolored water is the first hint of that, so it’s always important to report to SPU’s 24-hour line at 206-386-1800.
We’ve routinely reported “brown water” sightings for years – so many at one point, Seattle Public Utilities did a system “flush” in West Seattle in 2016 to try to clear out the rust and other sediment that was getting stirred up. Recently, we heard from multiple West Seattle Junction-area apartment residents with a different sighting in their water – white hair-like “fibers.” Here’s one description:
The hair-like objects range up to about half an inch in length and there was consistently a few in any glass of water. I could not tell if they were plastic, organic, or what. My only rudimentary test showed that they do not dissolve in vinegar. There was no discoloration.
That resident had dealt with SPU and property management among others to try to solve the mystery. SPU is on the front lines in terms of water safety, so we asked them. Here’s what SPU spokesperson Brad Wong told us late today:
Seattle Public Utilities has analyzed water samples from the area around 42nd Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street in West Seattle after receiving reports from customers of microscopic strands or filaments in it.
SPU believes the strands are a result of a recent algae bloom in one of our water supply reservoirs, which has occurred seasonally for more than 15 years. The water is safe to drink because SPU has treated and disinfected it. The Cedar River supply does not have filtration, but meets treatment requirements with ozone, UV light, and chlorine.
Customers who have concerns can call SPU’s 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800. Customers may choose to filter their drinking water or purchase bottled water but should not consider this necessary.
SPU will contact customers who called with concerns and continue to monitor the situation.
The response didn’t explain why these complaints were mainly coming from The Junction; our tipster says the SPU person to whom they spoke didn’t have an explanation for that either. The reader quoted above says an SPU rep told them that the algae bloom was in <strong>Lake Youngs, a source for Seattle city water.
For a second day we have a brown-water report – Gatewood on Saturday, further south today. Rebecca reports, “We’ve started getting brown water at our home in north Arbor Heights, lower Fauntleroy.” The Seattle Public Utilities water-woes map doesn’t show any emergency incidents in that area, so it might be more hydrant testing, but always report problems like this to SPU’s 206-386-1800 hotline just in case.
Just out of the WSB inbox, multiple reports of brown water including this one from Grace: “Just wanted to report that I have brown water in Gatewood – 36th/Morgan. Called Seattle Public Utilities and sounds like they’ve been testing water hydrants.” SFD does most of that testing; but you still want to notify SPU if you have discolored or otherwise problematic water, 206-386-1800.
Thanks for the tips. 102 residences in south Arbor Heights/Seola have been without power since late last night. The Seattle City Light outage map blames it on a tree.
2:32 PM: SFD and SPD are on the scene of a crash that’s brought down a utility pole and wires in the 4800 block of Beach Drive [vicinity map] and report the entire street is blocked as a result. One person is reported injured. The Seattle City Light outage map says 58 customers are out of electricity, too.
3:26 PM: The photos are from WSB’s Jason Grotelueschen, who says the pickup truck in the photo below is the vehicle whose driver is reported to have hit the pole.
City Light is on scene and the street is still closed, though SFD has departed.
4:21 PM: The photo above is from Lura, showing City Light crews working at the scene. (Added below, a photo from Asher:)
6:34 PM: After four hours, Beach Drive is still closed, and if you’re going northbound from Lowman Beach you won’t know that until there’s finally a sign at Shore Place.
10:21 PM: Still closed after 8 hours. But a texter says “City Light team arrived in full force … Chainsawing the old pole out, getting ready to add the new pole and transformer.” They texted this photo too:
11 AM SUNDAY: Just went down to confirm, the work is done and road reopened. Meantime, the police data map confirms the driver was taken into custody for investigation of DUI.
Thanks to Terry for the report: “I’m in Gatewood up near California and Holden and our water just started coming out of the tap pretty darned brown.” Terry has reported this to the city – Seattle Public Utilities‘ round-the-clock number is 206-386-1800. Although it’s likely hydrant testing, which is accelerating now that spring is here, it’s always important to report discolored water, as it can sometimes be first word of a problem such as a pipe break.
Another brown-water report today. Carol reports via email, “Brown water in lower Gatewood. Evidence of hydrant testing along 44th Ave. SW.” That’s one main cause, as opening a hydrant – whether for testing or for fire-related use – stirs up the “sediment” (aka rust) in the line. But even if you think you know the cause, if your water is discolored, be sure to report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.
A texter just reported brown water at a residence on Erskine Way, west of The Junction. Nothing current or recent on Seattle Public Utilities‘ water-trouble map, nor have there been any fires today; as always, if it happens to you, be sure to report it to SPU at 206-386-1800. We appreciate getting word too!
(WSB photo)
10:26 AM: Thanks for the tips! 45th SW is closed just north of SW Edmunds [map] because of a sinkhole blamed on a sewer problem. City crews are currently checking out the pipe’s condition as well as the condition of the street surrounding it.
(Reader photo)
A crew member on site told us they expect the closure to last at least a day. We’ll add anything more we find out.
(Reader photo)
5:58 PM: At day’s end, an SPU spokesperson sent us this update:
SPU crews conducted a thorough inspection and found no issues with the public sewer main. The sinking roadway panels that are impacting traffic on 45th Avenue SW near SW Edmunds may be caused by a privately-owned side sewer. The location is restricted to local access only at this time. SPU is in the process of contacting private-property owner(s) to determine next steps. More information about side sewers and their maintenance can be found on our website at https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/sewer-and-drainage/side-sewers
(Reader photo: Sign seen in project zone July 2021)
After another outage in the Brace Point area south of Fauntleroy last weekend, we followed up with Seattle City Light regarding the long-delayed upgrade project meant to increase the undergrounded system’s reliability in the area. SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang says the project finally has gone out to bid:
The cable replacement project construction package has officially gone to advertisement (Wednesday), with contractor bids scheduled to open on April 23rd, 2025. Once bids are open, we will go through an evaluation phase and proceed with signing a contract with the successful construction company. It is anticipated that notice to proceed will be issued by early summer 2025.
There’s backstory in this WSB archive story; the project originally was set to start five years ago, and “permit problems” were cited as a major reason for initial delays. Once the work starts, the project page says, it’s expected to last almost two years.
A reader called to report discolored water at her home in South Delridge. Nothing on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map, current or recent. Reminder that if this happens at your home/business/school/etc., report it to SPU at 206-386-1800 (ALWAYS report it if your water is discolored); causes can include a water-line break or nearby fire-hydrant testing.
8:24 AM: Thanks for the tips. 319 Seattle City Light customers in Brace Point are reported out of power this morning, in an area hit by outages before.
9:54 AM: The SCL map shows the number of residences affected has since been halved, to 160 (screengrab added above). … Our archives show this is the first Brace Point-only outage in almost a year, since last April.
12:41 PM: As noted in comments, now the number of affected customers is back up to 319. The map also attributes the outage to “equipment failure” (historically, that’s meant trouble with the underground cable in the area – we will be following up with SCL).
2:40 PM: Area neighbor Nathan, one of the original tipsters (thank you!) about this, sent that photo of an SCL crew with whom he spoke this past hour: “Just talked to the crew working at 47th and 98th, they are still testing to locate exact location of the failed line.”
9:59 PM: After almost 15 hours, the power is back. We’ll be following up with SCL on Monday, including whether the years-overdue upgrade project in the area is really on track to finally start soon, as its website suggests.
ADDED: SCL says “a damaged cable and fuse” were to blame.
A county-operated pump station in South Alki is getting a standby generator so that power outages won’t lead to overflows. Some preparatory work near the 63rd Street Pump Station will start as soon as next Monday (March 10), and since beachgoers (and other Alki Point Healthy Street users) will need to know, as well as the residents who’ve likely already been notified, we’re publishing this notice about it:
King County will be digging holes to locate underground utilities … Crews will use a truck to dig up to 42 holes, about 12 inches wide and up to 9 feet deep each. After this work is complete, the holes will be filled in and the street will be repaired with temporary asphalt patches. This work helps us verify sewer, water, and gas utility lines before we start the main construction project.
King County will also replace three concrete panels along Beach Drive SW, adjacent to the 63rd Avenue Pump Station to meet Seattle Department of Transportation requirements. To ensure everyone’s safety, please do not approach the crews while they are working.
(Utility-locating work route)
SCHEDULE AND DATES
-Utility locating work is expected to begin as early as March 10 and take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete.
-Concrete slab replacement work is expected to begin as early as May and take approximately 4-8 weeks to complete.
LOCATION
Utility-locating work will start at the 63rd Ave Pump Station and follow the route marked with red dots, ending at the Alki Wet Weather Treatment Station (Alki WWTS). See map above for approximate route.
Concrete panel replacement work area is located near the intersection of Beach Dr SW and SW Spokane St. See Figure 2 for approximate work area.
(Concrete panel replacement work area)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This clean-water project will ensure the 63rd Ave Pump Station has reliable power to help prevent stormwater and wastewater from overflowing into your neighborhood and Puget Sound. We will install conduit under the road along the dotted line in Figure 1. This work will involve excavation and lane closures.
Once construction is complete, all work areas will be restored to meet City of Seattle requirements and standards, including improved pedestrian ramps at Beach Dr SW and 64th Ave SW.
2025 Construction Overview
-March to May – Utility locating & concrete panel replacement work.
-Beginning as early as May 2025, crews will trench in the street to route the conduit starting from 63rd Ave Pump Station toward the Alki WWTS. Trenching and conduit installation is estimated to be completed by Fall 2025.2026 Construction Overview
-The installation of the generator at the Alki WWTS may begin as early as Fall 2025 and is estimated to completed by Fall 2026.
-Beginning as early as May 2026, crews will construct the transformer vault and cabinet at the 63rd Ave Pump Station. -This project is estimated to be completed by Fall 2026.
For more details on the work schedule starting as soon as next week, see the flyer here.
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