Emergency Fire Suppression Water Supply Project

Project Photos

Following the Kobe earthquake in Japan, breaks in the water distribution system made it impossible to fight the 300 fires that broke out throughout the city. Currently, Seattle firefighters would face similar challenges in a disaster.

Existing fireboats stationed in Elliott Bay and Lake Union can pump water from a maximum of about 400 feet from the water's edge. Two hose wagons enable firefighters to provide an above-ground water main of approximately one mile in length. The city's drinking water reservoirs provide another resource; but pumping water directly from those sources would contaminate the water for drinking purposes – a significant concern in the aftermath of an earthquake or other disaster.

This program included three projects to improve firefighters' ability to get water to where it is most needed. First, hardened hydrants were installed at the City's nine reservoirs and will be installed at the Queen Anne water storage tank to provide easier access to water supplies and allow water to be drawn from a reservoir without contamination.

Second, all engines have now been equipped with light-weight hard suction hoses and floating strainers, so they can draw water from lakes and Puget Sound.

Third, new large diameter hose has been placed on every fire engine in the city. These actions will increase firefighters' range when using water from reservoirs, lakes, or saltwater.

Project Schedule

Start Date: 2004
End Date: 2006

Estimated Cost:

Approximately $820,000.

Status Report -

Late December 2005-
Installations at all eight reservoirs have been completed.

Early December 2005 -
Beacon, Myrtle, Lincoln , Magnolia and West Seattle Reservoir sites are complete, and Roosevelt , Maple Leaf, and Bitter Lake are scheduled to be completed by Seattle Public Utilities crews in December.

October 2005 -
Fire Department equipment and water connections at eight reservoirs will be complete by the end of the year. The hydrants at Beacon, Myrtle, and West Seattle are now in place. The first drafting port installation (Lincoln Reservoir) is substantially complete.

The valve installation for the hydrant connection at the Roosevelt Reservoir was completed several months ago. The drafting port installation at that site and the other remaining three sites are planned for 4th quarter 2005.