Citywide fire hydrant testing happening through fall

The Seattle Fire Department is testing fire hydrants throughout the city all summer long which could cause discolored water in testing areas.

Seattle Fire is working in collaboration with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to test the hydrants—SPU maintains and repairs all Seattle fire hydrants.

SFD says hydrant testing will occur daily between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. around the city. If you live near a hydrant that has recently been tested, your drinking water could appear discolored for up to a few hours but is still safe, according to the city.

If you experience discolored water, SPU recommends running cold water for a few minutes to see if it’s clearing. If the water doesn’t clear, let the water sit for one to two hours, and run cold water for a few minutes in your bathtub or shower. Don’t run the hot water to try to clear it. If the water remains discolored, call SPU’s Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800.

Photo by John Odegard