130K Still Under Boil Water Advisory Across Greater Metro Detroit Area

METRO DETROIT — More than 130,000 people in the greater metro Detroit area were still urged to boil their tap water after a water line broke near the Lake Huron Treatment Facility early Saturday.

Communities that should boil their water before using it for drinking, cooking, or washing dishes include: the Village of Almont, Bruce Township, Burtchville Township, Imlay City, City of Rochester, Shelby Township, Washington Township, as well as one business in Greenwood, and an industrial park in Romeo.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the communities affected by the advisory in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties. The emergency makes all state resources available in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the designated area.

The declaration also authorizes Michigan State Police and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division to coordinate and maximize state efforts to assist.

"We are drawing on every resource we have and taking every action necessary to get impacted families the help they need," Whitmer said.

Great Lakes Water Authority officials said they expect water pressure to return to normal in about two weeks. Officials said it will take one week for the repairs and an additional week for water quality testing.

Crews have found the break and started the process of removing water from the site using four eight-inch pumps, which will prepare the area for work to begin. Officials ordered replacement pipe and is currently on a truck from Texas to Michigan, officials said.

"GLWA understands the real-life impact that this water main break is having on the hundreds of thousands of people in the affected communities and we truly appreciate their patience and understanding as we work to implement the necessary repairs," said Suzanne R. Coffey, GLWA Chief Executive Officer.

At one point, more than 900,000 in 23 communities across the great metro Detroit area were under the advisory after the break in the 120-inch water transmission main near the Lake Huron Treatment Facility, which is the largest in the regional distribution system, carries finished drinking water from the facility.