Water District 19 Drinking Water Alert

Water District 19 has issued a drinking water warning to some of its customers on Friday, informing them to boil their tap water before drinking due to possible contamination caused by low pressure after an excavator struck a water main on SW 216th Street and 86th Ave SW.

During the excavator accident, the water main pipe was damaged, causing water loss and low pressure for some customers in the area, Westphal said. And although crews repaired the pipe after the accident, the Washington Department of Health requires that water be tested to ensure its safety after such accidents.

Lab results will likely be known on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and the order to boil water will hopefully be lifted at that time, if not before.

Until then, customers in the affected area are advised to boil all water to a rolling boil for one minute, and then let cool before using. According to the notification sent to customers and also posted on the district’s website, affected customers should use boiled or purchased water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation.

“When low pressure loss occurs, contamination from the environment or from human or animal waste can be drawn into the water system,” Water District 19’s notice said. “Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. These may pose special health risks for infants, young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.”

Water District 19 advises customers to make sure that the district has their current telephone numbers and email addresses for future updates.

For more information, call Water District 19 at 206-463-9007, email water19@water19.com or visit water19.com.