MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — A water main leak on Mercer Island that forced evacuations will likely lead to water restrictions during the dry months.
Mercer Island Councilmember Craig Reynolds posted on social media Wednesday that the process to design and repair the leak to the water main will likely take several months, and the backup line that the city is now using will be unlikely to be able to supply the amount of water the city currently uses in the summer months.
Earlier in April, about 20 homes were evacuated overnight because of a water line leak that, if it broke, would likely lead to flooding and a potential risk for landslides.
Crews were quick to shut off the water line, but because of the complexities of the underground system and aging infrastructure, it is far from a quick fix.
The city says water conservation efforts will likely go into effect soon, which would include reducing garden irrigation, running the dishwasher and washing machine only with a full load, and going to a car wash that recycles water.
The city said Seattle utilities are working as fast as possible to figure out a long-term solution.
Here are tips to conserve water use from the State Department of Ecology:
Indoors
Over half of water use inside a home is in the bathroom, according to Ecology.
Ecology suggests residents use high-efficiency toilets. Toilets are the main source of water use in a home, with nearly 30% of all indoor water consumption.
People looking to conserve water can also turn off water while shaving or brushing their teeth, which saves up to 4 gallons a minute.
Additionally, taking showers for less than 5 minutes can save up to 1,000 gallons of water per month, according to Ecology.
Outdoors
In hot summer months or dry climates, outdoor water use can be as much as 70%, according to Ecology.
To conserve water, Ecology suggests planting native or drought-tolerant plants.
Using a hose timer to avoid over-watering or soaker hoses also helps reduce water consumption.
Residents can also consider collecting rainwater to use for landscaping.
To clear driveways, Ecology suggests using a broom or electric blower to clear driveways and sidewalks of debris.
When washing a car at home, Ecology suggests using an adjustable nozzle or sprayer and turning off the water stream while soaping a vehicle.