First Hill Water Main Project Finishes Ahead of Schedule

For neighborhood residents patiently tolerating water service disruptions and periodic road closures, the end is finally near.

The third and final phase of the First Hill Water System Improvements Project to upgrade water mains and fire hydrants is now substantially complete on the $1.2 million capital project, three months earlier than projected according to a city press release.

In March, contractor that was part of an extensive water infrastructure improvement effort for the First Hill neighborhood. The project began in 2009, when replaced the water main and system components on 72nd Avenue SE. Then in 2011, improvements were made to the First Hill Booster Pump Station, located at 74th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street.

Under the final phase of the project, the City replaced and up-sized 3,520 lineal feet of water main and converted an additional 3,500 lineal feet of water main from a gravity system to the First Hill pumping system. Also replaced were 140 water services and eight fire hydrants in the neighborhood. Extensive property and pavement restoration and other related improvements were also part of the project.

According to the press release, the City regularly evaluates the water system to ensure that it remains in good condition and maintains adequate capacity to provide water to customers. The city found that water mains in the First Hill neighborhood were undersized and aging. The also expressed concern with fire flow capacity in several areas of First Hill.

For more information about water improvements on First Hill, contact city utilities engineer Rona Lin at 206-275-7806 or rona.lin@mercergov.org.