Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled three new programs aimed at ensuring the city will have plenty of water available for fire-fighting and household use in the event of a disaster.

"As we saw in New Orleans, dependable sources of water for drinking, firefighting and sanitation, are one of the keys to a community's safety and quick recovery from catastrophic events," Nickels said. "These new public safety programs bring us closer to making Seattle the most prepared city in America."

Under development for many months, the new programs include: An Emergency Water Supply Program that will enable the fire department to access water for fire-fighting in the event that Seattle's regular water supply is damaged by an earthquake or other disaster.

An Emergency Drinking Water Provisioning System to deliver potable water to Seattle's neighborhoods is also planned.

Including a Portable Pipeline System that can be rapidly deployed if part of the city's normal water distribution system should fail.

Nickels emphasized that in spite of the new water supply measures, Seattle residents are urged to keep on hand at least three days' worth of water one gallon per person, per day for their own use.

The new project is funded by the city's $167 million 2003 Fire Facility and Emergency Response Levy Program.

Hydrants will be installed at nine reservoirs and water storage tanks to provide easier access to water supplies and allow water to be drawn from a reservoir without contamination.

Pumping points and drafting equipment for fire engines will be established for drawing water directly from Elliott Bay and selected lakes, and large diameter hose will be stockpiled in geographically strategic areas to increase firefighters' range when using water from reservoirs, lakes, or saltwater.

The Emergency Drinking Water Provisioning System is part of Seattle Public Utilities' response to water contamination or disruption of the city's water supply and has been under development for about 18 months under a $250,000 grant from the Federal Department of Homeland Security.

The system will have the ability to deliver up to 612,000 gallons of water a day to 6 central locations around Seattle.

Water for the system will be delivered to portable manifolds through city fire hydrants, water tanks, reservoirs, stand pipes or 3,500-gallon rubber water pillows, or "blivets." In addition to the manifold system, the city has contracted with bottling companies to deliver bottled water to communities during a water emergency. The new pipeline system is designed for use following a failure of water pipeline systems (the kind of damage that might be sustained in an earthquake).

For more information on the Fire Facility and Emergency Response Levy Program, visit the levy program web site at http://www.cityofseattle.net/fleetsfacilities/firelevy/default.htm.