SNOHOMISH — Dozens of Snohomish homes are still under a boil water advisory over a week after normal water service was expected to be restored. City officials say the problem is a symptom of a much larger issue with aging water infrastructure.
About 75 homes on South Carpenter Road and OK Mill Road, roughly 7 miles outside of Snohomish city limits, lost water service on Jan. 29 after a leak was discovered in a nearby water main, according to a press release.
Crews quickly repaired the line and restored service, but another break in the same line the following day led officials to issue the boil water advisory “out of an abundance of caution” against contamination, a press release said at the time.
Officials expected repairs to be done by Feb. 1, three days after the notice, the release said. The boil water advisory remained in effect, however, by the time a third break in the line was found on Feb. 7.
According to a press release issued Friday, test results for bacteria in drinking water samples are “satisfactory.” The advisory remains because water pressure in the affected line is still below safe levels as defined by the state Department of Health, leaving the system potentially open to contamination by outside water sources.
The ongoing break is a symptom of chronic problems with the city’s water infrastructure, the release said.
“With age, the city’s water system has been experiencing an increasing number of breaks,” Snohomish Mayor Linda Redmon said in a statement. “This can be frustrating for our water customers. The current transmission line break is only the most recent example. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Redmon issued an emergency declaration in response to the break Friday. The declaration will help secure funding and resources needed to find long-term solutions for the city’s water system, the release said.
City crews and an outside contractor are working to find the equipment and materials needed to repair the third break, according to the release. Repairs are expected to begin next week. City spokesperson Shari Ireton said the timeline for repairs will be impacted by supply chain issues in getting the necessary supplies. After that, service will be restored when water pressure is back to normal, Ireton said.
Residents can find out whether their home is impacted by the advisory by calling the city at (360) 568-3115. The release said daily updates will be provided on the city’s official Facebook and Nextdoor pages and the city website until normal service is restored.
Riley Haun: 425-339-3192; riley.haun@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @RHaunID.
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