Marlene Feist, 509.625.6505
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 12:54 p.m.
July 31, 2019 Update:
Following multiple test results confirming clean water, the City of Spokane is lifting water restrictions in Northeast Spokane today. The Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water agreed with the decision to lift the restrictions. DOH has reviewed the testing information and has been working with the City on the issue.
Customers should run water for five minutes to clear stagnant water in their pipes. The City will provide a credit on the water consumption portion of affected customers’ bills for the time that the customers couldn’t use their water for drinking or cooking. That credit likely will appear on those customers’ September bills.
Last Friday, the City advised water customers in the area bound by Wellesley Avenue, Freya Street, Crown Avenue and Havana Street to avoid using tap water for drinking or cooking. Since then, the City has flushed and chlorinated the system, completed multiple tests for chemicals found in hydroseed and for bacteria, and replaced and cleaned water meters. Many of the meters were clogged with hydroseed material. Additionally, around 1,000 cases of bottled drinking water were distributed to residents and businesses in the area.
“We want to thank our customers in the affected area for their patience as we worked to resolve this situation. We take our responsibility to provide safe and reliable drinking water very seriously,” says Scott Simmons, the City’s Public Works Division Director.
The City is still investigating the event that led to the contamination. A commercial hydroseed vehicle that used water from City fire hydrants appears to have allowed contamination to backflow into the City’s system when filling with water.
The map below shows the area that was impacted. As always, City water customers should contact the City if they have water quality concerns by calling 3-1-1 or 755-CITY.
Update:
The City of Spokane is advising City water customers who live or own property in the area bound by Wellesley Avenue, Freya Street, Crown Avenue and Havana Street to avoid using tap water for drinking until the City is able to flush the system with clean water. The required work is expected to take up to seven days.
Water customers in the affected area should not use their tap water for drinking. Citizens may continue to use the water for bathing, washing, and irrigation purposes. Citizens outside of the affected area in Northeast Spokane can continue to use tap water without restriction. No illnesses related to the possible contamination have been reported. The City has reported the issue to the Washington State Department of Health.
The City will be providing free drinking water for those who live in the affected area. Water bottles will be distributed starting today at the Post Office, 4401 N Freya Street, until 10 p.m. Water bottle distribution will continue on subsequent days until the problem is resolved, distribution hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A commercial hydroseed vehicle that used water from City fire hydrants appears to have allowed some contamination to backflow into the City’s system when filling with water today.
“We are working to resolve this situation quickly. Safe and reliable drinking water is critical to good health, and responding to this concern is our highest priority today,” says Scott Simmons, the City’s Public Works Division Director.
The area affected is small, mostly containing commercial properties. The City is going door to door to notify these residents and businesses. An attached map shows the affected area. The City will follow up with additional information once the situation has been resolved. If you have any questions, please call the City at 3-1-1 or 755.CITY.
Original Release:
The City of Spokane is advising City water customers who live or own property north of Wellesley Avenue and east of Market Street to avoid drinking tap water until the City is able to flush the system with clean water. The required work is expected to take until late afternoon.
A commercial hydroseed vehicle that used water from City fire hydrants appears to have allowed some contamination to backflow into the City’s system when filling with water today.
Water customers in the affected area can continue to use water for washing, showers, and irrigation. Citizens outside of the affected area in Northeast Spokane can continue to use tap water without restriction. No illnesses related to the possible contamination have been reported. The City has reported the issue to the Washington State Department of Health.
“We are working to resolve this situation quickly. Safe and reliable drinking water is critical to good health, and responding to this concern is our highest priority today,” says Scott Simmons, the City’s Public Works Division Director.
The City will follow up with additional information once the situation has been resolved. Once notified, affected customers will be asked to run their water for 5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. If you have any questions, please call the City at 3-1-1 or 755.CITY.
