From Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) regarding the status of the Roosevelt Reservoir:
“SPU has completed its seismic analysis of Seattle’s drinking water system and its decommissioning test of Roosevelt Reservoir. The Roosevelt Reservoir was taken out of service in 2013. At that time, SPU decommissioned the reservoir to study its impact on the overall drinking water system while the reservoir was not in use. The goal of the study was to evaluate whether the reservoir could be permanently removed from the drinking water system and the property declared surplus. Additionally, in 2015 a seismic analysis of Seattle’s drinking water system that included Roosevelt Reservoir began. This study was designed to better understand the seismic risk to Seattle’s drinking water system and to incorporate study findings into long-term resiliency planning for the utility. After a thorough engineering analysis that encompassed both studies, SPU has determined Roosevelt Reservoir to be a critical emergency water resource for Seattle customers.
In the event of a major earthquake, the reservoir could be a vital source for emergency water and fire-fighting purposes. As a result of this information, for the foreseeable future, the City will continue to maintain Roosevelt Reservoir and the property it sits on as a part of SPU’s ongoing upkeep and operations. SPU has begun refilling the reservoir to prepare it for standby, emergency operations.”
If you have any additional questions about Roosevelt Reservoir, please contact matt.orr@seattle.gov or 206-733-9169. Matt Orr, Project Manager
The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association held a “Land Use Academy” 303 (information & discussion) session on December 1, 2015 that focused on the Roosevelt Reservoir. The session included an informative presentation from Alex Chen of Seattle Public Utilities on the existing water supply and future needs, further information from Chip Nevins of Seattle Parks and Recreation, and comments/suggestions from community members. You can watch the video of the session to help understand the reservoir’s role in the city and SPU’s testing:
Roosevelt Land Use Academy 303 – Roosevelt Reservoir
And for those who did not know the Roosevelt Reservoir, now named for the neighborhood that this lies within, was originally called the Greenlake Reservoir, before I-5 was constructed in 1959, severing the current Roosevelt community from being directly part of the Greenlake neighborhood.