North Mercer Island residents can resume flushing after sewer blockage clears

Feb 25, 2026, 3:38 PM | Updated: 5:06 pm

Water pours down the toilet as it's flushed. (Photo: Christof Koepsel, Getty Images)

(Photo: Christof Koepsel, Getty Images)

KIRO Newsradio Anchor

The City of Mercer Island previously urged residents on the north end to limit their water use after a sewer line became blocked on Tuesday. The sewer blockage has since been cleared, and all restrictions have been lifted.

The sewer was blocked for more than nine hours before it was fixed. The City of Mercer Island noted that normal water usage can now resume.

FINAL UPDATE: Sewer blockage CLEARED. Restrictions lifted; normal water use may resume. Lake contact advisory remains for 7 days. Report issues to 425-577-5656. Thank you for your patience! For more information, visit: https://t.co/UFldLfBU07 pic.twitter.com/eXwsNJD3Rm

— City of Mercer Island (@mercergov) February 25, 2026

At approximately 4 p.m., the City of Mercer Island warned residents in affected areas to stop wastewater discharge as crews continued trying to clear the blockage.

URGENT: Sewer blockage remains. STOP all wastewater discharge in affected area (see map). Crews making progress but blockage unlikely to be cleared today. Avoid Lake Washington water (see satellite map). For more information and latest updates, visit: https://t.co/RKNGXlRm4X pic.twitter.com/PRYKMfdLZL

— City of Mercer Island (@mercergov) February 24, 2026

Officials reported a major blockage in an underwater sewer line at 11:11 a.m., with crews being unable to clear it at the time.

That means any wastewater that goes down the drain could back up straight into homes.

Residents told to use community center bathrooms instead

The city was asking residents to head to the Mercer Island Community and Event Center to use the bathroom.

This was mainly affecting the area from Luther Burbank Park to the East Channel, along North Mercer Way.

This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

Read more of Aaron Granillo’s stories here.

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