Boil water advisory issued for parts of Downtown Detroit, east riverfront after main break

DETROIT – A boil water advisory was issued Sunday morning for parts of Downtown Detroit and east riverfront communities. 

• UPDATE: Boil water advisory lifted in Downtown Detroit

On Sunday the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department issued a boil water advisory for residents and businesses in the area east of the John C. Lodge Service Drive, west of Mount Elliot Street, between I-75 and the Detroit River.

The Great Lakes Water Authority assisted by the DWSD responded to a 42-inch water main break late Saturday around 11 p.m.

The broken main is at McDougall and Larned streets. It is a GLWA-operated main and has impacted DWSD’s local system. The water main has been isolated and no customers should be without water service. However, customers may experience low water pressure until the main is repaired. 

As a precautionary measure, a boil water advisory was issued. Customers are encouraged to call DWSD Customer Care Service at 313-267-8000 if they experience any problems.

A photo of the impacted area can be viewed below. 

Here's video of the streets flooding Sunday morning after the break: 

Cobo Center, municipal center affected

Cobo Center and the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Downtown Detroit are both affected by the boil water advisory. 

Thousands of auto writers and journalists from around the world are in Metro Detroit for the auto show, which is taking place at Cobo Center. 

The director of DWSD said the boil advisory will most likely be in affect until Thursday. Customers will be notified once it is lifted. 

Statement from NAIAS spokesperson: 

"We were notified about the water main break early this morning. Cobo Center and NAIAS are working together to ensure everyone has safe drinking water. We have blocked off supplies to all drinking fountains. We have placed posters in the bathrooms notifying people as a precaution. Trucks have delivered safe ice to the show. Restaurants are still operating as far as I know with bottled water," said Amanda Niswonger, Public Relations and Social Media Manager of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association for NAIAS.