FRASER, Mich. – Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has requested an extension to the state of emergency that was declared due to a major sewer break that caused a sinkhole in Fraser.
Hackel declared a state of emergency on Jan. 5, but the declaration only lasts for seven days unless it's extended by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.
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The Board of Commissioners is holding a special meeting at 3 p.m. Friday to discuss the request.
"This declaration will allow us to continue to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the county and ensure all necessary precautions and protective actions are available until the long-term emergency bypass system is put in place," Hackel said.
The affected sewer services a large portion of Macomb County, including around 150,000 homes and 500,000 residents.
Fraser, Sterling Heights, Utica, New Haven, Chesterfield Township, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Harrison Township, Lenox Township, Washington Township and Macomb Township are affected by the sewer break. The Selfridge Air National Guard base is also affected.
Residents are being asked to continue to conserve water by using the following tips:
- Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
- When cooking, peel and clean vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.
- Fill the sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.
- Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
- When buying a dishwasher, select one with a light-wash option.
- Only use the garbage disposal when necessary. Composting is a great alternative.
- Install faucet aerators.
- Take short showers instead of baths.
- Turn off the water while brushing teeth, shaving and soaping up in the shower.
- Fill the sink to shave.
- Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring to the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, the toilet is leaking.
- Install a toilet dam and low-flow shower heads.
- Run full loads of laundry.
- When purchasing a new washing machine, buy a water-saving model that can be adjusted to the load size
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