By Joe Veyera
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has announced that crews will be conducting soil tests near the Lake Washington Ship Canal between late August and September in Ballard, Fremont, and Wallingford, in an effort to identify possible locations for underground sewage and stormwater storage.
The work will occur in the right of way at 14 locations near Shilshole Avenue, Leary Avenue Northwest, and Northwest 35th Street. Normal work hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with crews drilling holes up to 150 feet deep, predominantly in parking strips and on side streets. Businesses and residents near each location will be notified in writing in advance of the work. “No parking” signs will be erected 72 hours in advance, and removed as soon as the work is complete.
According to the notice of upcoming work from SPU:
When rain overwhelms the combined sewer system, raw sewage and polluted stormwater spill into the ship canal in Ballard, Fremont and Wallingford. Over the next ten years, SPU will need to construct storage for approximately 9.4 million gallons of sewage and polluted stormwater to protect human health and the environment and comply with existing laws.
Nearby residents should expect some minor impacts of the work, including reduced parking, limited traffic impacts, periodic noise from drilling operations, and paint and other temporary markings in the right-of-way.
For more information, contact communications lead Rachel Garrett at 206-615-1098 or rachel.garrett@seattle.gov.
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
Now along with burn bans, there will be poop bans.
“The City of Seattle has announced today that due to forecasts of heavy rainfall in the area, Seattle residents are being asked to not defecate using sewer connected plumbing for the next 24-48 hours until the heavy rains have passed. In the most urgent cases, please use dog parks and grassy areas near your home and remember to scoop your waste as the regular fines will apply. You may place your waste bags in your garbage containers for pick up.”