MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — Mercer Island residents are being asked to continue to conserve water after crews were able to make repairs to the supply line Thursday.
Water is refilling the reservoir tanks after testing and flushing were completed on Thursday evening, according to city officials. Residents are asked to continue conserving water for up to 72 hours until the reservoir tanks can be fully replenished.
The City of Mercer Island receives its potable water from Seattle. That water is contained in two large reservoir tanks.
The city has asked that residents conserve water since Wednesday, after crews with Seattle Public Utilities ran into an "unexpected problem." During scheduled maintenance, crews encountered a seized valve while attempting to reconnect the water supply lines.
When the seized valve was discovered, the island had already been operating from its reservoir tanks for an estimated 65 hours.
A second valve then malfunctioned early Thursday morning. Repairs were complete by 1 p.m.
With repairs complete, the supply line had to be recharged and tested for quality and safety.
"By conserving water, you’ll help maintain supply in these tanks to keep the Island’s water infrastructure safe and functioning," a statement from the City of Mercer Island reads, in part.
Mercer Island schools were on a two-hour delay on Thursday due to the water cutoff. There was no morning preschool.
"The decision to remain on a two-hour delay for today has been made with the safety and well-being of our students and staff paramount," a statement from the district reads. "We will have bottled water for all of our students and staff at all our buildings today. Students and staff can bring their own bottled water to school if they would like. All our schools’ bathrooms will be operable. To help with water conservation on the island all the hallway drinking fountains in our schools will be inoperable while classroom sinks will remain operable for hand washing. We will have lunch service in all our schools."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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