Boil Water Advisory Continues For Portions Of Kirkland

KIRKLAND, WA — A boil water advisory will remain in effect for at least another day in several Kirkland neighborhoods after a water main broke Tuesday. Officials said the magnitude of the break made it possible that sediment could have entered the water system, but there were no immediate signs of contamination.

Update (8/5): Kirkland Lifts Boil Water Advisory

The advisory was issued "out of an abundance of caution" and applies to areas north of NE 85th St., south of NE 124th St. and west of Interstate 405, including the Juanita, Market, Norkirk, Highlands and Totem Lake neighborhoods. Officials said only city water customers were affected, and no advisory was in place for Northshore Utility District customers.

In an update posted at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Kirkland officials said the advisory would continue until further notice, pending the results of water quality tests expected by Thursday afternoon.

Until the all-clear is given, the city said residents living in the affected areas should rely on bottled water or boil their tap water before drinking it to avoid potential illness. Water needs to come to a rolling boil for at least one minute.

More information about the incident is available online and residents can also subscribe for e-mail updates.

Here are a few more tips for navigating boil water advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, and to prepare and cook food.
• If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute. After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
• Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
• Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
• Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if possible.

Handwashing

• In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
• Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Bathing and showering

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Brushing teeth

• Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.