Mercer Island’s new emergency well is now fully operational. Located at Rotary Park (88th Avenue S.E. and S.E. 44th Street), the well is designed to provide Island residents with drinking water if an earthquake or other disaster disrupts the city’s normal water supply from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU).

In the event of a disaster, water will be available to residents either on a walk-up basis at the well or via large 250 to 325-gallon totes, transported by trucks dispatched to Island neighborhoods. A volunteer Well Operations Team will help operate the well so that city crews can be available for other emergency response; these volunteers will also assist with neighborhood water deliveries.

To aid distribution, the city has purchased several thousand six-quart water containers. While a portion of this supply will be stored at the well, Mercer Island residents are invited to pick up these collapsible containers at the Finance Department at City Hall — one container for every household member. In addition, Island residents should store their own three-day supply of water at home, setting aside one gallon of water per person per day. Change this stored tap water twice a year.

Learn more at www.mercergov.org/emergencywell.