Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews are working this morning to restore water to portions of southeast Seattle after a 20-inch water main broke on South Juneau Street, just east of Martin Luther King Jr.Way, in the early hours of the morning.
As many as 1,300 homes may be affected by the outage. The cause of the main break is not known at this time.
Although water service is expected to be restored this afternoon, as a precautionary measure residents and businesses in two areas are being asked to not use tap water for drinking or cooking purposes — unless it is boiled — until notified.
- An area bounded by 55th Ave. South to the east, and 44th Ave. South to the west; and Ferdinand Street to the north, and South Brandon Street to the south.
- An area bounded by South Brandon Street to the north, and South Brighton Street to the south, and Wilson Ave. South to the east, and 48th Ave. South to the west.
SPU said it will take at least 24 hours before tests have been concluded to ensure the water is safe to drink.
Area residents are advised that if they must use water from their taps — for food preparation, brushing teeth, rinsing contacts and making ice — they should boil it first. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 minute; then let it cool and pour into a clean container.
Dishwashers can be used if run with the sanitizing/heat cycle and commercial dishwashing detergent. Dishes can be hand washed if rinsed in a diluted bleach solution — one teaspoon household bleach to one gallon of water — and then allowed to air dry.
Tap water can be used for bathing, but do not drink any of the water and do not allow babies to put water or washcloths in their mouths.
Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Customers with questions can call SPU Customer Service, at: 206-684-3000.
This notice has been issued following consultation with the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health: Seattle & King County.
