According to a city report, Mercer Island crews successfully replaced the damaged water main and water service was being restored to impacted properties as of 6:40 p.m. on Oct. 10. The precautionary boil water notice remained in effect for the impacted homes only to ensure safety as the water line was flushed. Impacted homes received hanging door tags with information, and crews fully reopened West Mercer Way.

On the afternoon of Oct. 12, the city informed the public on social media that it received satisfactory results from laboratory testing, confirming water safety and quality. Therefore, the city lifted the precautionary boil water notice for residents affected by the break and those Islanders received new door tags informing them how to properly restart home water usage.

** Story posted on Oct. 10:

Thirty-six Island homes are currently without water service following a water main break at approximately 9 p.m. last night in the 4600 block of West Mercer Way. Crews hope to restore water service by mid-day today to the impacted residences in the immediate vicinity of the break.

The city noted that the broken main is a 14-inch diameter cast iron pipe originally installed in 1958. While excavating the break site, crews discovered a 12-foot-long crack that requires a complete pipe replacement in that section of the main. The city is sourcing an 18-foot pipe from the city of Anacortes, which is the nearest location to acquire a pipe of this size and type.

After concluding the repair, crews will need to fill, flush and test the water main, and the city will issue a precautionary boil water notice to the impacted homes once water service is restored, according to the city’s 11 a.m. update.

“There is no impact to the wider water system on the Island. If you did not receive a door tag and your water pressure is normal, your water is safe to drink and use. Because the main break occurred on the city’s ‘side’ of the water system, there will be no impact to water meter readings or customer utility bills,” the city noted.

West Mercer Way between Southeast 46th Street and Southeast 47th Street will remain closed throughout the day as crews repair the break. Residents are asked to use alternate routes and drive safely.

If residents need assistance, they can call the city’s customer service team at 206-275-7600.

** Original story posted on the morning of Oct. 10:

Last evening, city crews began working to repair a water main that broke in the 4600 block of West Mercer Way.

In a city update at 11:50 p.m., staff estimated that approximately 50-60 homes between Merrimount Drive and Southeast 48th Street are impacted and staff anticipated that those residences will be without water until sometime mid-day on Oct. 10. Crews distributed door hangers to the impacted homes with information about the situation.

The city noted that the broken main is a 14-inch cast iron pipe originally installed in 1958. West Mercer Way was shuttered overnight as additional crews arrived on Island to provide repair assistance and cleanup.

The city will continue to update residents as more information becomes available.