SPU Water Supply Pipe Liner Installation Begins This Week

Work begins this week to install a flexible liner in the City’s primary water supply pipe after several weeks of inspections and preparation. This repair plan will bring the water pipe back online without requiring a challenging excavation at the site of the leak. The pipe is expected to be in operation by the end of July.

The 1,300-foot liner will be pulled through one of two access pits located on the east and west ends of the project site and will be connected to the main pipe at both ends. From there, the lined pipe will undergo additional testing and preparation before resuming operation, which will take approximately one month.

The liner can last up to 50 years and is made of sturdy materials that are certified by several global standards to have no impact on water quality or safety. As a precaution, the liner is equipped with leak-detecting mechanisms.

The City and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) determined that the plan to insert a flexible liner is the right solution that will safely and quickly bring sufficient water supply back to Mercer Island.

In the meantime, please continue conserving water and following the City’s lawn watering schedule. See how we're collectively doing! View our Water Usage Dashboard to see current water use and reservoir levels.

Stay connected on Let’s Talk for more updates throughout the liner installation process.