Update 3: 120-inch Water Transmission Main Break and Boil Water Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            11:30 a.m.

August 14, 2022

 

UPDATE 3

120-INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN BREAK AND

BOIL WATER ADVISORY

  • At least some water pressure restored to all communities
  • Boil Water Advisory Lifted Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township, Mayfield Township, Macomb Township and the City of New Haven
  • Water main break isolated and being prepared for repairs to begin
  • Seven communities, including 133,000 people, remain under a Boil Water Advisory
  • Estimated timeframe is two weeks, including repairs and water quality testing

 

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is providing an update on the Boil Water Advisory it issued yesterday, as well as the break to the 120-inch water transmission main that distributes finished drinking water from its Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility to communities in the northern part of GLWA’s drinking water service area.

As of Sunday morning, water flow/pressure has been restored those communities impacted by the water main break. While it will not be at normal levels, there will be enough flow to use for sanitary purposes.  GLWA was able to accomplish this by making changes in the direction that water is pumped in the transmission system.

Additionally, the precautionary Boil Water Advisory had been previously lifted for Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township, Mayfield Township, Macomb Township, and the Village of New Haven. Based on further review of GLWA’s water pressure data, it does not appear that water pressure in these communities fell below the 20psi threshold for declaring a Boil Water Advisory.

“GLWA understands the real-life impact that this water main break is having on the hundreds of thousands of people in the affected communities and we truly appreciate their patience and understanding as we work to implement the necessary repairs,” said Suzanne R. Coffey, GLWA Chief Executive Officer. “I am grateful for the GLWA team who has been working tirelessly to restore water pressure to all communities and working as quickly as possible to restore service.”

Crews have isolated the break and started the process of removing water from the site using four eight-inch pumps, which will prepare the area for the repairs to begin. Replacement pipe has been ordered and is currently on a truck from Texas to Michigan.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, GLWA expects the timeline for returning the pipeline to service to be two weeks – one week for the repairs and an additional week for water quality testing.

Communities that remain under a Boil Water Advisory include: the Village of Almont, Bruce Township, Burtchville Township, Imlay City, City of Rochester, Shelby Township, Washington Township, as well as one business in Greenwood, and an industrial park in Romeo.

Under this precautionary Boil Water Advisory, residents should not drink the water without boiling it first. Residents must bring all water to a boil for at least one minute and then let it cool before using. Boiled, bottled or disinfected water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.

Whenever a water system loses pressure for any significant length of time, precautionary measures are recommended since a loss of pressure can lead to bacterial contamination in the water system. Bacteria are generally not harmful and are common throughout our environment. Boiling water before using it will kill bacteria and other organisms that may be in the water.

GLWA is currently investigating the cause of the break. The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until results from sampling verify the water is safe to drink. GLWA Water Quality will advise the affected communities when the Boil Water Advisory has been lifted.

For more information, please contact Great Lakes Water Authority Water Quality at waterquality@glwater.org or by calling (313) 926-8102 or (313) 926-8128.  General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

GLWA will continue to provide updates as they become available.

 

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About the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA)

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is the provider-of-choice for drinking water services to nearly 40 percent, and efficient and effective wastewater services to nearly 30 percent, of Michigan’s population. With the Great Lakes as source water, GLWA is uniquely positioned to provide those it serves with water of unquestionable quality. GLWA also has the capacity to extend its services beyond its 88 member partner communities. As part of its commitment to water affordability, the Authority offers a Water Residential Assistance Program to assist low-income households in participating member communities throughout the system. GLWA’s board includes one representative each from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, two representatives from the city of Detroit, and one appointed by the Michigan governor to represent member partner communities outside of the tri-county area.