Drinking water in Seattle is safe, test confirms

SEATTLE – After two days of extensive testing, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has announced that the drinking water in Seattle is safe.

Water quality experts worked with five homeowners in different locations throughout the city who had galvanized steel service lines.  They sampled water from the main line to the tap after allowing the water to sit overnight in the pipes.

“This sampling protocol was much more extensive than the standard federal test, and should give customers an added sense of confidence in their water,” said SPU Drinking Water Quality Manager Wylie Harper.

The Seattle results released today were well below the action level of 15 parts per billion.  The highest level found in the tests of Seattle’s water was 1.95 parts per billsion.

SPU also announced that water customers can return to using their water as before. Thursday the company asked homeowners to run their water for several minutes before drinking it.

SPU supplies water for over 1.3 million people in the region.

A phone line has been set up for customers with question.  It is (206) 684-5800.  The line will be open until 7 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.