OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A broken 42-inch water main in Auburn Hills has been replaced. But the work is just starting, leaving northern Oakland County under a state of emergency.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) said the line was installed in 1975 to last about 100 years. It only reached 51 before bursting, leaving thousands without water.
Here’s everything we know about the water main break:
Water main break update
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett is expected to provide an update on the water main break at 11 a.m. on May 12.
Local 4 will be at the press conference.
Water main replaced
The ruptured 42-inch water main was replaced Monday afternoon.
“The next step in the process is they’ve got to go in and actually weld the joints to the existing pipe,” GLWA CEO Suzanne Coffey said.
Coffey said this is ahead of schedule. But just because things are moving along doesn’t mean there isn’t a long road of testing ahead.
This pipe was installed in 1975 and was supposed to last 100 years. It’s only been about 50 years.
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“A very small percentage of this kind of pike can have a defect in it,” Coffey said. “They called it a ‘manufacturing anomaly’ that creates a condition where it ages more rapidly than it should. But 96% of the pipe is good. It’s $20 million a mile to replace the pipe.”
GLWA said the water main was discovered leaking on May 6. Crews were working to reroute water, but the water main broke at around 1:30 a.m. on May 10 before rerouting was completed.
Businesses reopening
Orion Township businesses are no longer required to close unless they are specifically notified by the fire department.
Related --> Water main break forces Oakland County businesses to close during busy weekend
Water restrictions
Residents in Orion Township, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills still cannot use water for nonessential activities such as watering lawns, washing cars, running dishwashers, using washing machines, etc.
Related --> ‘No showers, no laundry’: Oakland County residents line up for water as main break repair continues
Boil Water Advisories still in effect
Boil Water Advisories are still in effect for the communities affected: Orion Township, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills and Oakland Township.
--> Here’s what to do during a boil water advisory
In Pontiac, residents are asked to avoid outdoor water use to reduce strain on the system. Higher demand can contribute to low water pressure in the city and nearby communities and may reduce water available for firefighting. Residents are urged to limit water use to essential needs only until the break is repaired.
Related --> Neighbors, agencies unite to provide clean water amid Oakland County boil advisory
Water pickup locations
GLWA said water trucks are distributing one-gallon containers at:
- Orion Township: Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Court
- Auburn Hills: Auburn Hills Department of Public Works, 1500 Brown Road
- Lake Orion: Atwater Park, 426 Atwater Street
View a map of the locations here.
School closures
Lake Orion Baptist is closed on Tuesday, May 12.
Lake Orion Community Schools are closed through Thursday, May 14, due to the water main break.