Brown tap water surprised some Alki households on Sunday, turning what should have been a perfect beach day into a murky mystery at the faucet. Neighbors in the West Seattle waterfront community tipped off local outlets after noticing discolored water flowing from their taps.
According to West Seattle Blog, a reader in the Alki area reported brown water coming from their tap. Around the same time, Seattle Public Utilities showed no active incidents on its online water trouble map for the neighborhood. The blog also noted that the Seattle Fire Department had been unusually busy over the previous 24 hours, which can lead firefighters to flow hydrants and change water flow in nearby mains.
What likely stirred the brown water?
The Seattle Fire Department says hydrant inspections and any unplanned hydrant use can change the direction or rate of flow in a water main and lift rust and sediment into taps, temporarily discoloring water. Fire Line, SFD's official blog, explains that crews inspect hydrants across the city and that discolored water may clear in a few hours. Drinking that water is generally not harmful, the department notes, but it can stain laundry.
How to clear your taps and when to call
Seattle Public Utilities recommends running cold water for a few minutes to see if it clears, waiting an hour or two, then running cold water from a bathtub or shower to flush household lines. The utility warns customers not to run hot water while cold water is still discolored, to avoid filling water heaters with turbid water. If the discoloration does not clear, SPU advises contacting its 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800 and following the steps on the utility's website.
Brown water events have recurred across West Seattle for years and have prompted targeted flushing projects in the past, with neighborhood reporting pushing the utility to take broader action. West Seattle Blog's guide to discolored water outlines those earlier responses and the steps customers can take at home.
If you notice brown or discolored water, note when it started and which taps are affected, avoid running hot water appliances and laundry, and call Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800 so the utility can log your report. We will update this story if SPU or city officials post a notice for Alki.
