The City of Everett water utility had temporarily shut off service to a portion of a water transmission line east of Lake Stevens to conduct emergency repairs to a fracture in the pipeline, potentially impacting as many as 22,000 customers.
No in-town City of Everett customers were impacted by this outage. Additionally, no property damage was reported.
Impacted customers were notified via automated emergency alert system.
In less than three days, water service was restored to transmission line 3 customers after City crews and contractors worked around the clock since the leak was discovered on Saturday, March 15.
The work was on Everett’s 52-inch number three transmission line that conveys water from its water filtration plant in the Sultan watershed to the City of Everett. There are 36 direct connections to the line in the impacted area, including Snohomish County PUD (PUD), the largest system impacted, with approximately 22,000 customers. Smaller connections include 25 single-family connections and several smaller water systems.
The line was between Everett’s water filtration plant north of Sultan and approximately 1.5 miles east of the Pilchuck River near Dubuque Road. Transmission lines are large capacity pipes that have a 50 million gallons per day capacity, with pressure that can exceed 180 pounds per square inch.
Customers affected by the repairs are asked to run water until it is clear if sediment or discoloration is present (running the water in a bathtub is recommended, if possible).
Homes that have been without service should run their water for up to 30 minutes to clear any turbidity and air from the lines once service resumes.
Though water may appear discolored, it is safe, but homeowners are advised to flush it until it is clear before using. If this persists more than 30 minutes, or there are other questions, customers are asked to call 425-257-8821.
More information about Everett’s water system is available at everettwa.gov/water
March 18, 2025
Everett Government, Beyond Everett