Here's what you need to know about the water main break

Sarah Raza, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read

The water main break discovered Saturday left nearly one million residents in the metro Detroit area without steady access to clean water. Some water flow has been restored as of Sunday morning, but around 133,000 residents are still under a boil water advisory.

Here's what you need to know about the water main break:

What happened to the water transmission main?

Early Saturday morning, the Great Lakes Water Authority discovered a break on a 120-inch water transmission main that distributes drinking water to 23 communities across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

The Water Authority supplies drinking water to nearly 40% of the state's population, and the transmission main is the largest in the regional distribution system, impacting around 935,000 residents in the area.

Crews identified the leak to be one mile west of the Water Authority's Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility.

What towns are affected?

A boil water advisory was initially issued for the 23 communities in the affected service area, and currently only remains for the following 7 areas:

  • Almont

  • Bruce Township

  • Burtchville Township

  • Imlay City

  • Rochester

  • Shelby Township

  • Washington Township

At least some water flow has been restored to all communities by changing the direction the water is pumped in. Though the flow is not back to normal levels, there is enough for sanitary work, according to the water authority.

Do I need to boil water?

A boil water advisory is a precautionary step taken whenever the water pressure drops for a significant period of time because bacteria can contaminate the water.

Though bacteria is common in our environment and generally unharmful, residents still under the boil water advisory should only use boiled, bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing dishes and brushing teeth. Boiling water will kill the bacteria in the water and make it safe for use.

How long do I need to boil water?

Residents should let the water boil for a minute and let it cool before use.

When will water flow return to normal?

Given that there are no unforeseen circumstances, the Water Authority estimates a timeframe of two weeks — one week for repairs and another week for quality testing.

More: Jury hung in Flint water crisis civil trial, mistrial declared

More: FBI, Wixom police question company officials about Huron River chemical release

As of Sunday morning, the break has been isolated and crews have started using pumps to remove the water from the site and prepare it for repairs. A replacement pipe has been ordered and is on a truck from Texas to Michigan.

In the meantime, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has activated the emergency response in order to provide additional resources, such as bottled water, to local communities that requested it.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit water main break: What to know