Mercer Islanders who were evacuated from their residences last night received the go-ahead to return home in the wake of a leaking underground water pipe that posed a landslide risk to a section of the city on April 3, according to the city at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

The city evacuated about 20 homes in the vicinity of 95th Court Southeast last night at about 9 p.m.

“City crews were able to isolate a section of pipe that restricts water flow in the affected area, mitigating the risk of property damage if the water main were to break, according to the geotechnical engineer,” the city noted in a press release.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) hired a contractor today — through an emergency contract — to begin assessing the slope and designing the repair of the SPU water main, among other tasks. Upon completion, the contractor will commence excavation to uncover the pipe so SPU crews can inspect it and complete the repair, the city said.