Customers using Lake Stevens water system asked to conserve during pipeline repairs

EVERETT, Wash. — Emergency repairs are underway in Everett to fix a fractured water pipeline.

The leak was discovered on Saturday.

Service to a portion of a water transmission line east of Lake Stevens is shut off while crews make repairs.

There are 36 direct connections to the line in the affected area, including Snohomish PUD, the largest water system affected, with about 22,000 customers.

Currently, the Lake Stevens water system is being supplied with water from the Lake Stevens treatment plant and by water stored in the PUD’s reservoirs, but the supply is limited.

The utility asked its customers in the Lake Stevens and Snohomish areas to conserve water until repairs are complete.

“We recommend not washing vehicles or pressure washing surfaces until we are back to normal operations. Also hand wash dishes and take shorter showers,” said Snohomish PUD Chief Water Operations Officer Jeff Kallstrom.

Snohomish County PUD said about 75% of the PUD’s Lake Stevens water system is supplied with water purchased from the city of Everett.

The work is on Everett’s 52-inch number three transmission line that sends water from its water filtration plant in the Sultan watershed to Everett.

“Everett is working around the clock to restore service to this critical water pipeline,” said Jeff Marrs, Everett Utility operations superintendent. “This is an emergency situation for our customers on transmission line 3, and we are coordinating closely with them.”

So far, the cause of the break is not known. The fractured pipe was installed in 1936.

PUD customers with questions should call the PUD’s water utility at 425-397-3000 and view their statement on their website.