EDITOR’S NOTE: This post has been updated with corrected information courtesy the City of Burien.

UPDATE: Sorry sweaty kids, hold those swimsuits — while the water fountain at Burien’s Town Square Park has started running intermittently, final repairs and system testing are still underway.

City of Burien officials confirmed Tuesday, July 15 that the popular splash feature remains in the testing phase and is not yet fully operational.

“The fountain is still undergoing testing as remaining issues are worked out, and will hopefully be fully operational soon,” the city stated. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as work continues.”

Located in the heart of downtown at 480 SW 152nd Street, the fountain has been a seasonal favorite for children and families, especially during warm summer days.

The latest update comes as a Heat Advisory remains in effect across King County through Wednesday evening, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s.

The water feature had been out of service for quite some time, prompting community inquiries. Delays in repairs were likely the result of crucial mechanical parts being on backorder.

While the visible spray returned briefly this week, city staff say that testing work is ongoing to ensure the fountain operates safely and consistently.

Cause of the Confusion

Burien City Councilmember Stephanie Mora prematurely announced the fountain’s reopening in a public update, sharing a photo of the water feature in action with the caption, “Burien Water Fountain is now open!!!!” However, city officials later clarified that the fountain is still undergoing testing and is not yet fully operational, attributing the post to an error.