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Mill Creek council declares emergency to investigate pressurized leak along SR‑527
Summary
The Mill Creek City Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing an emergency repair contract to investigate and address pressurized water surfacing on State Route 527 near Penny Creek. Staff said crews will excavate to find the source and that work will require night construction and specialized hydro‑excavation near an 8‑inch gas main.
The Mill Creek City Council on Jan. 14 adopted a resolution declaring an emergency to investigate and repair a pressurized water leak appearing through the pavement on State Route 527, authorizing the city manager to execute contracts for design and construction work needed to restore the roadway.
City Public Works Director (presenting) described water “bubbling up through the pavement” along 527 just north of the 100th/164th area, and said tests by the domestic water utility showed the water was pressurized potable water rather than stormwater or sewer. He told the council the leak is not in the Penny Creek culvert beneath the road and that WSDOT and Puget Sound Energy crews are involved in the field review. “We have water bubbling up through the pavement,” Director Dott said, adding the city must excavate to determine the source and responsible party.
Why it matters: staff warned the leak could freeze in upcoming cold weather and form an ice hazard for drivers and pedestrians, and could delaminate pavement layers if water infiltrates the roadbed. The council heard that excavation will likely need to be an open trench with night work and hydro‑excavation near the 8‑inch gas main that runs under the roadway. That work requires specialized contractors and can create the risk of sinkholes until the trench is fully assessed and repaired.
What the council approved: the resolution allows the city to bypass the normal design‑bid‑build procurement path and proceed under emergency contracting authorities so that traffic control, excavation, and repair can begin quickly. Staff said they have requested county assistance and will seek a contractor if no partner steps forward. The council voted unanimously to adopt the emergency declaration and authorizations for the city manager to sign necessary contracts.
What happens next: staff said night excavation will commence when a contractor is available; practical timing was estimated for the week following the meeting. The city will provide public notifications of forthcoming traffic impacts and detours once a schedule is confirmed. WSDOT, the local water utility, Puget Sound Energy and the county will be on site to monitor and to identify who is responsible for final repairs if the source is outside the city’s infrastructure.
The council’s emergency vote follows the city’s assessment that the surfacing water is pressurized and not attributable to city stormwater or sewer systems; further field excavation will determine the responsible party for repair and restoration. Mayor Brian Holzkopf declared the motion passed unanimously.
