MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — Fireworks will be prohibited this Fourth of July due to a water supply shortage caused by a previous water main leak.
This order does not impact the sale of fireworks or professional fireworks shows, it only prohibits people from setting off at-home fireworks.
The prohibition declared by Eastside Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Ben Lane was announced May 1, the same day City Manager Jessi Bon signed a proclamation declaring a local emergency due to a reduction in the supply of incoming potable water.
The City of Mercer Island contracts its fire services with Eastside Fire & Rescue.
“The use of consumer fireworks in our community is a risk we can prevent, especially in light of the growing risk of wildfires in our region and the City’s critical water shortage. I believe one of our primary responsibilities is to identify fire and safety risks we have the ability to prevent, and as the community’s Fire Chief, I believe banning the use of consumer fireworks is the right thing to do," said Chief Lane.
The emergency proclamation notes the backup water supply pipeline currently being used to provide potable water is 2.73 million gallons per day. The island's daily potable water demand during the summer averages 2.83 million gallons per day. That number spikes in July, when demand hits more than 3 million gallons per day, according to the proclamation.
Additionally, city reservoirs need to be above 61.4% capacity to meet firefighting requirements.
Mercer Island is one of few cities in King County that typically allows at-home fireworks.
Though they won't be allowed, fireworks can still be legally sold on Mercer Island on June 28 from noon to 9 p.m. and from June 29 to July 4 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
On May 7, the city council will consider legislation that would ban the sale and use of fireworks starting in 2025.
Water main leak
In April, about 20 homes were evacuated because of a water line leak that, if it had broken, would likely have led to flooding and a potential risk of landslides.
Crews were quick to shut off the water line, but because of the complexities of the underground system and aging infrastructure, it is far from a quick fix.
The city said water conservation would likely go into effect in June, which would include reducing garden irrigation, running the dishwasher and washing machine only with a full load, and using a car wash that recycles water.
The city said Seattle utilities are working as fast as possible to figure out a long-term solution. Seattle Public Utilities is the sole supplier of potable water to Mercer Island.
On May 2, Seattle Public Utilities said it was "currently vetting the repair design with Mercer Island" and that it was too early to say when the water main might be repaired.
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