Mercer Island residents gathered at the site of the Rotary Park emergency well on Tuesday morning, Sept. 7, for a well activation and operation procedure overview led by MIPD officer Jennifer Franklin. Islanders practiced screwing a water distribution pipe into one of 12 distribution sites, where the Well Operation Team — which is now comprised of 55 volunteers — would dispense bags containing six quarts of water, along with a chlorine tablet, to the public during any emergency affecting the Island’s water supply. A bulk loading team would also deliver water to neighborhoods in 250 to 325-gallon water totes.

A citywide emergency drill is set for Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “We’re going truly operational with this — a test to see if they could function by themselves,” said Franklin. “The biggest thing is if everyone was just to get their own kit, and there, the job is done.”