SPU Water Main Leak and Repair

While crews work to repair the Seattle Public Utilities water supply pipeline that's out of service, the City of Mercer Island encourages the public to take small steps to conserve water.

Mercer Island is currently receiving enough water, but to ensure we have sufficient supply to sustain water quality, safety, and firefighting requirements in the high-demand summer months, the City is sharing steps we can all take to collectively conserve water. Learn more and find out how you can do your part on the Water Conservation Guidance Let's Talk Page.

It is likely that the City will impose voluntary water conservation measures in June. Our shared efforts to limit water consumption now will help reduce the likelihood of mandatory water use restrictions in the future.

Seattle Public Utilities contracting crews will be potholing at the intersection of Greenbriar Ln. and SE 40th Street to verify the location of existing underground utilities near the water pipe that was discovered on April 3 to be leaking.

This potholing will involve digging an exploratory trench about 2 feet wide by 20 feet long to verify the location, depth, and condition of the underground utilities.

Flaggers and signage will be in place to help direct neighbors, pedestrians, and traffic that will be partially blocked. The crews plan to work on May 15 and 16 from 7:00am - 5:00pm.

For more information about this work, please contact Jade Sullivan at (206) 255-8276 or Jade.Sullivan@seattle.gov

At the May 7 regular meeting, the Mercer Island City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 24C-10 permanently prohibiting the sale and discharge of consumer fireworks beginning in 2025. The adoption of this ordinance follows recommendations from the City Manager, Fire Chief, and Police Chief.

The need to prohibit consumer fireworks on Mercer Island arises from the significant safety risk to users, the burden they place on our City’s fire and emergency services, and the noise pollution they cause for neighbors, pets, and veterans. The Island’s Climate Action Plan states that hotter, drier summers are making wildfires more likely, even in our semi-urban environment. Our fire department notes that 911 calls surge significantly on July 4 primarily due to emergencies related to the use of fireworks. Almost all other cities in our region have banned the use and sale of fireworks in recent years.

The Council considered these factors before delivering a unanimous vote to adopt a permanent prohibition on fireworks.

This ordinance does not ban professional fireworks displays, which require specific fire prevention and safety measures to be in place. The City will continue to permit appropriate public fireworks displays that meet City code requirements, including the annual Summer Celebration fireworks display.

Because state law dictates that this type of ordinance cannot take effect until at least one year after adoption, the changes made by the Council’s adoption will not begin until 2025. However, the discharge of fireworks is still prohibited in 2024, following an order previously issued by the Fire Chief.

2024 Order Prohibiting the Discharge of Consumer Fireworks

On May 1, 2024, Mercer Island’s Fire Chief issued an order prohibiting the discharge of consumer fireworks this 4th of July due to extreme fire danger – this danger is related to the reduced supply of incoming water caused by SPU’s primary water supply pipeline being down. The order was issued alongside Emergency Proclamation No. 329, which outlines the water emergency.

While the City code allows for the Fire Chief to prohibit the discharge of fireworks due to extreme fire danger, this does not extend to the sale of fireworks. It will remain legal for vendors to sell fireworks this year, even though their use is prohibited on Mercer Island.

More Information

Links to documents and a list of frequently asked questions are available here on Let's Talk. If you have questions or need additional information, you can contact the City’s Customer Service Team by email or phone: 206-275-7600.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why has the City imposed a fireworks ban for 2024?
Due to the reduced water supply to the Island while the SPU pipeline is out of service, it’s essential that we protect the community and reduce the risk of fire and other emergencies to the extent we are able. It is essential we have sufficient water supply to fight fires and discharging fireworks poses significant risk of fire that we must avoid.

Q: What fireworks are included in the ban?
The prohibition applies to all consumer firework products as defined by the state’s RCW 70.77.136 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.77.136).

Q: Will I still be able to buy fireworks this year?
This ban on discharging fireworks in 2024 does not extend to the sale or purchase of fireworks on the Island.

Q: Will I be able to buy fireworks on Mercer Island in the future?
No. The ordinance that City Council adopted prohibits both the discharge and sale of fireworks on Mercer Island beginning in 2025. Residents will not be able to purchase fireworks on the Island in 2025.

Q: What steps are being taken to ensure the Island is safe this summer?
This fireworks ban is a critical step to ensure our community stays safe, especially when our water resources are reduced this summer. In addition, the City is considering water conservation measures to help manage demand during the summer months, so that we have sufficient water supply to sustain water quality, safety and firefighting requirements.

Q: When will water conservation measures start?
The City is currently coordinating its plan on water conservation measures. It is likely that they will be implemented in June. These measures may include reducing garden and lawn irrigation, running the dishwasher and washing machine only with a full load, using commercial car washes that recycle water, and reducing personal water use wherever possible.

Q: How long will water conservation measures last?
We expect water conservation measures to last through the late summer as SPU and the City continue their efforts to repair the Island’s main water supply line.

Seattle Public Utilities crews will be potholing on SE 40th St near 97th Ave SE to verify the location of existing underground utilities near the water pipe that was discovered to be leaking.

This potholing will involve digging an exploratory trench about two feet wide by 20 feet long to verify the location, depth, and condition of the underground utilities.

Flaggers and signage will be in place to help direct traffic. The crews plan to work on May 7, from 8:00am - 5:00pm.

For more information about this work, please contact Jade Sullivan at 206-255-8276 or by email at Jade.Sullivan@seattle.gov.

As part of the City’s ongoing response to the SPU water pipeline that is out of service, Mercer Island’s Fire Chief has issued an order prohibiting the discharge of consumer fireworks this year. This is necessary to protect the Island’s fire response capabilities during periods of extreme fire danger.

The fireworks ban follows an emergency declaration issued by the City of Mercer Island today, May 1, due to the Island’s reduced water supply while we receive water through a smaller backup line. This backup line will not keep up with summer water demand.

Mercer Island is one of the few cities in King County that permits the use of at-home fireworks. At the recommendation of the City Manager and with support from the Fire Chief and the Police Chief, the City Council will consider an ordinance at its May 7 meeting to adopt a permanent ban on the sale and discharge of consumer fireworks. If passed, this ordinance would go into effect in 2025. The proposed permanent ordinance would not ban professional fireworks displays, which require specific fire prevention and safety measures.

Remember, the use of fireworks is prohibited this July 4 under the Fire Chief’s order, however, it will remain legal to sell consumer fireworks on Mercer Island on June 28, 2024, from noon to 9:00pm and from June 29, 2024 through July 4, 2024 from 9:00am to 9:00pm. The Fire Chief’s authority to prohibit discharge of fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger does not extend to prohibiting sale of fireworks.

If you have questions or need additional information, you can contact the City’s Customer Service Team by email or phone: 206-275-7600.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why has the City imposed a fireworks ban for 2024?
Due to the reduced water supply to the Island while the SPU pipeline is out of service, it’s essential that we protect the community and reduce the risk of fire and other emergencies to the extent we are able. It is essential we have sufficient water supply to fight fires and discharging fireworks poses significant risk of fire that we must avoid.

Q: What fireworks are included in the ban?
The prohibition applies to all consumer firework products as defined by the state’s RCW 70.77.136 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.77.136). The Washington State Patrol has a handy chart of what these items are: https://www.wsp.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Consumer-Fireworks-Legal-in-Washington.pdf

Q: Will I still be able to buy fireworks this year?
This ban on discharging fireworks in 2024 does not extend to the sale or purchase of fireworks on the Island.

Q: If a permanent ban is adopted by City Council, will I be able to buy fireworks on Mercer Island in the future?
No. The ordinance that City Council will consider prohibits both the discharge and sale of fireworks on Mercer Island. If that ordinance is adopted, residents will not be able to purchase fireworks on the Island in 2025.

Q: What steps are being taken to ensure the Island is safe this summer?
This fireworks ban is a critical step to ensure our community stays safe, especially when our water resources are reduced this summer. In addition, the City is considering water conservation measures to help manage demand during the summer months, so that we have sufficient water supply to sustain water quality, safety and firefighting requirements.

Q: When will water conservation measures start?
The City is currently coordinating its plan on water conservation measures. It is likely that they will be implemented in June. These measures may include reducing garden and lawn irrigation, running the dishwasher and washing machine only with a full load, using commercial car washes that recycle water, and reducing personal water use wherever possible.

Q: How long will water conservation measures last?
We expect water conservation measures to last through the late summer as SPU and the City continue their efforts to repair the Island’s main water supply line.

Mercer Island and Seattle Public Utilities continue to collaborate on repair work for the SPU water supply line.

The City is committed to hearing and understanding residents' concerns about this evolving situation. City leaders want to engage neighbors in the process, and are establishing a bi-weekly standing meeting for impacted residents to connect with City leadership and representatives from SPU to provide updates and field questions.

The first meeting will be on Friday, May 3 at 11:00am at the base of the stairs at 95th Ct SE and SE 40th St. Staff will commit to providing meeting notes to all impacted residents (including those who are unable to attend) that summarize discussion topics, outstanding questions, and follow-up items.

The goal is to establish a regular cadence going forward with a consistent day and time. The City will notify neighbors as soon as schedules are confirmed. The location for future meetings will either be on site or at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center.

Following the Declaration of Emergency issued on April 3 triggered by the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) water main leak, the City and SPU have been addressing a significant issue: a major SPU water supply line is out of service. Normally, this line supplies most of the water to Mercer Island’s distribution system – a smaller backup line is currently providing water in its place.

This backup line will not keep up with summer water demand and it is likely water conservation efforts will need to be enacted to manage daily demands. These may include reducing garden and lawn irrigation, running the dishwasher and washing machine only with a full load, using commercial car washes that recycle water, and reducing personal water use wherever possible. Although no conservation measures are currently in place, we are providing early notice that these actions are likely to be implemented soon.

We know these types of restrictions can be inconvenient. While evaluation and planning work is still underway to determine what restrictions may be needed, we aim to provide you with advance notice that water conservation will likely be essential this summer. This will ensure the Island’s water demand does not exceed the supply provided by the backup line and that City reservoirs will continue to meet resident needs while sustaining water quality, safety, and firefighting requirements.

In the meantime, the City and Seattle Public Utilities continue to work to address the supply line that is out of service, but the work will be prolonged due to the challenges associated with the site and topography.

Further updates will be shared as soon as they are available and we encourage you to stay up to date on this work through Let’s Talk. If you have questions or need to report a concern, contact our Customer Service Team by email or phone (206-275-7600) during operating hours.

On Monday, April 22, impacted residents received an update on water main work. The City will begin work to abandon a larger portion of the City’s existing water main and relocate water service for four homes on 92^nd Place SE.

This work includes the following steps:

• Hydro excavation to locate the section of water main that the City will abandon. This work will take place in three locations:

1. Mercerwood Drive and Greenbrier Lane
2. Mercerwood Drive and 93^rd Ave
3. SE 40^th St and 95^th Court SE

• Hydro excavation to locate the four water service lines to homes on 92^nd Place SE.
• Excavation to relocate the four water service lines and connect them to the water main on Mercerwood Drive.
• Excavation to access the locations where the water main will be cut and abandoned from the City’s water system.

While great efforts have been taken to minimize resident impacts, ten homes will have their water shut off for 6 - 8 hours during this work. Those homeowners have been notified directly, and the City will stay in close contact with them during the water shutdown.

Utility trucks and equipment will be in these areas over the course of 10 - 14 days during normal business hours. Both standard excavation and hydro excavation (a technique that combines high-pressure water and air vacuum to cut through soils) are being employed, meaning you will see different types of equipment and vehicles conducting work. Some minor traffic impacts will be necessary during this period, however the contractor will be on-site to secure the area and provide traffic control.

The City’s Customer Service Team will be available during business hours to assist with any questions or concerns.