HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-20 Watermain Break press release
Contact: Public Works Department
Name: Steve King, Public Works Director
Ian Jablonski, Water Resources Operations Manager
Phone: 360-379-5001
Email: sking@cityofpt.us or ijablonski@cityofpt.us
For Immediate Release – November 20, 2020
WATERMAIN BREAK UPDATE
The purpose of this press release is to provide a recap of the watermain break and an update of the latest
information available at this time.
The City experienced a catastrophic watermain break at approximately 8:30 on Monday evening
November 17, 2020. The watermain break at the Monroe and Washington Streets intersections caused a
loss of pressure for a portion of the City water service area. Loss of pressure below the standard of 20 psi
was reported consistently in Uptown and Morgan Hill neighborhoods. The quick response of City crews
facilitated the ability to stabilize the situation quickly. Through isolation of the leak by shutting down
mainline valves, pressure was restored within 60 minutes. In addition, to depressurization of the area
described above, the effects of the initial leak resulted in overtopping of a sewer manhole near the
Monroe Street Lift Station resulting in overflow of diluted sewage to Port Townsend Bay. The leak also
created upheaval of the street at the intersection. As a result, the City closed the street to traffic due to
the potential of a sink hole beneath the pavement. The initial break in the main as well as a slow leaking
valve Monday night, resulted in water seepage into the basement of the American Legion building.
City staff estimates that roughly 180,000 gallons of water leaked from our domestic water system. Much
of the potable water that leaked from the break flowed into the City stormwater system and the City
sewer system which was pumped to the wastewater treatment plant. City staff estimates that the
flooding of the sewer system resulted in not more than 5,000 gallons of diluted sewage spilling into Port
Townsend Bay.
Based on the impacts described above, the City issued an emergency declaration to provide for expedient
contracting with Seton Construction to perform repairs to the watermain as well as the street.
Public Safety is always a top priority for our community and for our staff. This emergency resulted in the
following key safety actions.
• Notification of the Department of Health: City staff immediately contacted the Department of
Health for guidance on drinking water safety. The leak resulted in depressurization of portions of
the city water system. As a result, chlorine residual testing was performed at several locations.
Chlorine is utilized in potable water systems as a disinfectant to prevent biological contamination
of the water system. In addition to testing to ensure chlorine levels were adequate, city staff
took water samples to the lab to test for coliform bacteria, for which there was no detected
PRESS RELEASE – SUBJECT (Date)
contamination. Watermain breaks often stir up sediment and rust in the network of pipes and
some residents experienced temporary discoloration of their water. The city also performed
some water main flushing. The City would like to reassure residents that the water is safe to
drink and appropriate measures have been taken to ensure this safety.
• Notification of the Department of Ecology: City staff notified the Department of Ecology regarding
the sewage overflow concerning environmental and human health protection. Minimal sewage
was discharged to Port Townsend Bay; however, precautions were promulgated by Jefferson
County Health with a no contact order for the areas of Port Townsend Bay directly fronting Pope
Marine Park. The first round of testing results by Jefferson County Health indicated that slightly
elevated levels of bacteria exist in the impacted area of the Bay and thus the no-contact order has
been extended as of November 19, 2020. Please refer to Jefferson County Health Department for
more information at https://co.jefferson.wa.us/ under Civic Alerts.
• The City also notified the Department of Health concerning Shellfish safety. Given there is no
shellfish harvest in the immediate area, no action is necessary.
The leak resulted from failure of a section of 1928 vintage cast iron pipe. A longitudinal split in the pipe
approximately 8 feet long resulted in leak flow rates in the 3,000 gpm order of magnitude. This vintage
of cast iron pipe is brittle and the City is unaware of any external event that caused this pipeline failure.
Approximately 250 lineal feet of this pipe will be replaced between Monroe Street and the City Hall in
Water Street with ductile iron pipe with a design life of 100 years or more.
The estimated cost for restoration of this section of pipe is $130,000. The City appreciates Seton
Construction’s timely and efficient assistance with this repair. As of today, most of the pipe has been
replaced. The City anticipates the need for several more shorter water outages in the immediate vicinity
and will contact those businesses and households directly impacted combined with notices issued via the
City Facebook page. The objective is to complete work the water line work prior to Thanksgiving and to
follow up with paving as soon as the weather permits.
The City wishes to thank impacted residents and businesses for their patience and support.
PRESS RELEASE – SUBJECT (Date)