OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Officials provided an update on the repairs made to the water main that broke in September.
During a Novi City Council meeting on Oct. 6, officials from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) appeared and briefed council members about the water main break that happened on Sept. 25.
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The water main break on 14 Mile caused multiple areas in Oakland County -- Commerce Township, Novi, Walled Lake and Wixom -- to undergo a boil water advisory, and many communities had little to no water. This led to schools closing.
Timeline
GLWA broke down a timeline of the process for repairing the water main break during the meeting Monday night. Here’s a breakdown:
Sept. 25
6:30 a.m. - 42″ water main breaks
8 a.m. - GLWA arrives
9 a.m. - GLWA begins isolating
11 p.m. - 16″ insertion valve installed
Sept. 26
3 a.m. - Novi started to receive flow again
1:30 p.m. - GLWA isolated at the break site
2 p.m. - Break site dewatered and repair started
Sept. 27
There were no specific time stamps for Sept. 27, but GLWA said the damaged 42″ pipe was removed and a new pipe section was installed.
GLWA then inspected the break site, and a bacterial sample of the main was tested.
Sept. 28
Repairs continued into Sept. 28 with prepared inspections and valve replacements.
Sept. 29
GLWA said the 42-inch water main repair continued with another round of water testing.
Sept. 30
The boil water advisory was lifted in Novi, and valve maintenance continued. GLWA continued inspection of the 42″ water main.
Oct. 1
GLWA stated that repairs to the valve serving Walled Lake were completed, and a review of the initial inspection data began.
Oct. 2
The boil water advisory was lifted for Walled Lake and Commerce Township after further inspections.
Oct. 3
The boil water advisory was lifted for Wixom as more water quality samples were tested from Walled Lake and Commerce Township.
Oct. 4
GLWA said the water quality samples from Walled Lake and Commerce Township passed.
Road closures
14 Mile Road between Welch and M-5 remains closed to through traffic. 14 Mile between Beachwalk Drive and Novi Road is also closed as GLWA crews work on the 36-inch valve located on the stretch of roadway.
Water conservation
Novi officials are still asking residents to conserve water and refrain from using irrigation systems unless it is from a well.
City officials said conserving water can prevent the city from losing water pressure while repairs are being made. The city would have to go back under a boil water advisory if too much water is being used.
The city of Wixom also said the water conservation advisory has been extended after GLWA officials reported that more repairs need to be done. Repairs are expected to be completed by Oct. 14 at the earliest.