DETROIT – Certain areas of Detroit are grappling with flooding caused by numerous water main breaks across the city.
Just on Tuesday (Jan. 28), 51 breaks led to flooded streets and cars trapped in ice.
This recurring issue occurs whenever temperatures drop, exposing the city’s aging water infrastructure.
The pipes, averaging about 95 years old, struggle to withstand the cold, leaving neighborhoods covered in ice and without water.
Ericka Meah, chief operating officer for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, said the city is currently managing 50 to 60 water main breaks.
Meah acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasized the importance of crew safety during repairs.
To address the problem, Detroit has a capital improvement program investing nearly $100 million annually to maintain and upgrade its water and sewer systems.
Since 2018, crews have repaired or replaced 77 miles of water mains, but the city still has over 2,700 miles of pipes in total.
Meah praised the crews working long hours in subzero temperatures and asked residents for patience as repairs continue.
The department has over 200 employees and additional contractors working across different areas to fix the breaks.
Chauncey Philson, a team leader with 18 years at DWSD, confirmed that crews are working around the clock to restore water service and fix the issues as quickly as possible.
Residents are encouraged to report any water main breaks or flooding in their neighborhoods to help crews respond promptly.