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Water Emergencies
About Service Interruptions
Occasional service interruptions are necessary to repair, replace, or install water mains. When possible, we will notify affected customers about scheduled maintenance or construction that requires temporarily turning off the water.
Our crews try to schedule planned maintenance during off-peak water demand, but in the event of a main break, leak, or other emergency, water service may be interrupted without notice in order to isolate the break, prevent flooding, and repair the main. Most repairs are made within several hours.
Notice of major or extended service interruptions will be posted on the home page of this website.
Discolored Water
After maintenance work on a water main in your area, you may see discolored water when you turn on the tap. This is caused by mineral and other deposits that settle out of the water and build up on the pipe wall over time.The deposits become dislodged and dissolved in the water when the pressure changes. This is not harmful, simply let your faucet run until the water becomes clear.
Our crews typically prevent discolored water by opening a nearby fire hydrant to flush out the water main. The high velocity also helps to scour any mineral deposits in the main. In cases where this is not possible, customers may experience discolored water.
To prevent the buildup of mineral deposits in water mains, Lakehaven Water and Sewer District has a crew dedicated to flushing mains throughout our service area.
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Emergency Phone: 253-941-1516 Anytime
- Are there health risks associated with using automatic meter readers?
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Lakehaven Water and Sewer District is moving to automatic meter readers that use wireless technology. If you are interested in learning more about radio frequency (RF) signals around your home, visit Article from the World Health Organization(WHO).
- Where can I download Water Quality Reports?
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- Does Lakehaven Water and Sewer District have a plan for future growth?
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Read through our executive summaries from the District's 2008 Comprehensive Water System Plan and 2009 Comprehensive Wastewater System Plan to find our future growth plans.
- How do I shut off the water service to my house?
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Learn about proper care for water shut off valves and how to turn them off in an emergency.
- How do I check to see if I have a water leak?
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Find different ways you can determine if you have a leak.
- Why is FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases) bad and how can I minimize the problems it creates?
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FOG clogs the plumbing in your home and in the city and is expensive to fix. You can minimize this problem by disposing of your fats, oils, and grease in a solid container and placing it in the trash once it is cool.
- What is "Main Cleaning" and how often does Lakehaven perform it?
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Main cleaning is a maintenance program to remove excessive build up of materials inside our water mains. Main cleaning is done by a High Velocity flushing of fire hydrants or by sticking an over-sized foam cube in the main and scrubbing the pipe. It is done once every 5 years.
- How do I locate utility services before I accidentally dig them up?
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At least two (2) business days before any digging, you must request that underground utilities be located and marked by calling 811. Additional information can be found at The Utility Notification Center.
- How do I report a water or sewer main break?
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If you observe what you feel is a water or sewer main break please call District offices at 253-941-1516 immediately. During business hours an operator will direct you to the proper response staff. After hours callers need simply follow the instructions on the phone and response staff will be paged automatically.
- Does Lakehaven Water and Sewer District perform repairs to my plumbing?
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Lakehaven Water and Sewer District does not perform plumbing repairs. Please consult a plumber.
There are a number of online sources you can use to find listings of local plumbers. We do not endorse any listed here but some online business search providers are 411.com, yellowpages.com, yellowbook.com, dexknows.com. For more sophisticated projects try HomeAdvisor.com or Thumbtack.com or simply search on the term to fit your need (e.g. "find plumbers in Federal Way, WA") in your preferred search engine.
- Who should I report a sewer backup, overflow or smell to?
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During regular business hours (M-F, 8A-4:30P) call 253-941-1516 and the receptionist will take your information. After business hours call 253-941-1516 and listen for instructions.