GLWA Continues Emergency Response Work on 54-inch Water Main in Southwest Detroit
GLWA CONTINUES EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORK ON 54-INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN IN SOUTHWEST DETROIT
Replacement pipe segment now on-site and being prepared for installation
GLWA crews and contractors have removed a 12-foot section of damaged pipe.
Pipe assessment contractors are inspecting the condition of the transmission main on either side of the break in preparation for the repair process to begin.
DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) continues its critical role as a part of the broader emergency response to a break on a 54-inch steel water transmission main at Beard and Rowan in Southwest Detroit that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, February 17, 2025.
Today, a 19-foot segment of replacement pipe arrived on-site.
In the last 24 hours, GLWA crews and contractors removed an approximately 12-foot section of damaged pipe, and pipe assessment contractors have begun inspecting the condition of the existing pipe on either side of the break location in preparation for the repair process to begin.
The timeline for completion of the repair and returning the main to service is expected to be at least two weeks.
More updates will be provided as they become available.
Residents impacted by the water main break can call (313) 774-5261 to be connected to emergency resources through the City of Detroit.
William M. Wolfson
Deputy Chief Executive OfficerWilliam M. Wolfson is Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Prior to assuming the Deputy Chief Executive Officer position, Mr. Wolfson has served GLWA’s as its Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer and its Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer/ General Counsel. Mr. Wolfson came to GLWA from the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). Mr. Wolfson joined DWSD in 2012 as the utility’s first General Counsel and, in 2013, added the position of Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer as well. Mr. Wolfson represented DWSD in the City of Detroit’s bankruptcy proceedings and played a pivotal role in the founding of GLWA.
Mr. Wolfson began his career in government, in 1976, as a seasonal Detroit Zoo employee. He later joined the City of Detroit Law Department as an attorney in 1986 and served in the Law Department until 1998, under Mayors Coleman A. Young and Dennis Archer, working as the legal liaison to the Detroit City Council and on several key initiatives such as the casino and stadium development projects.
Upon leaving the City of Detroit, Mr. Wolfson moved to Wayne County’s Department of Corporation Counsel and was appointed Deputy Corporation Counsel by County Executive Edward McNamara. The succeeding County Executive, Robert Ficano, appointed Wolfson to the position of Assistant Deputy County Executive/Director of Legal Affairs. In that position, Mr. Wolfson was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the county government and its 4,500 employees.
Mr. Wolfson retired from his Wayne County position in July 2009; he then went into private practice and contracted to serve as Wayne County’s Interim Corporation Counsel.
Mr. Wolfson is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota Law School. He is active and a committee member in several water sector trade organizations. In 2020, Mr. Wolfson was recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its Leaders in the Law. In 2024, The State Bar of Michigan honored Mr. Wolfson as a recipient of its The Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award which recognizes extraordinary governmental service by a member of the State Bar of Michigan.