MACOMB TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Five communities in Macomb County are experiencing water woes after a major water main break was discovered early Tuesday morning, officials said.
According to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), water pressure has been restored to five communities affected by a break to a water transmission main in Macomb Township.
Chesterfield Township, Lennox Township, Macomb Township, New Haven, and the city of Rochester (Rochester East – GLWA District) remain under a Boil Water Advisory in effect until further notice.
"Just after 6:00 a.m. today, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) discovered a leak on a 36-inch water transmission main on 24 Mile near North Avenue. Crews are on-site investigating," officials said.
The Boil Water Advisory was issued due to a drop in water pressure.
Overall, the GLWA estimates 152,000 people are affected by the break. The Boil Water Alert is expected to last a minimum of two days.
"Do not drink the water without boiling it first," authorities with Chesterfield Twp. said in an update on 6:40 a.m. "Residents must bring all water to a boil for at one minute and then let it cool before using. Boiled, bottled or disinfected water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice."
The GLWA explained that Boil Water Alerts are issued as a precaution whenever a water system loses pressure for any amount of time as a loss of pressure can lead to bacterial contamination within the system.
"The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until results from sampling verify the water is safe to drink. GLWA Water Quality will advise the affected communities when the Boil Water Advisory has been lifted," the GLWA said.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Department said the 24 Mile is closed between North Ave and Fairchild due to standing water from the main break. Millstone and Fox Run intersection is also shut down due to being "completely flooded," deputies said.
The sheriff's office also reported Romeo Plank between 22 Mile Road north to Highland Hills is closed in both directions due to water over the road -- a video posted on social media by Matt Ziehm shows a geyser of water spraying from a hole in concrete that it apparently punched through.
A resident called into WWJ around 6 a.m. to report he woke up and found he had no running water in his Chesterfield Township home in the area of 23 Mile and I-94.
A Facebook user posted to WWJ's sister station 97.1 the Ticket, saying they were in their shower with shampoo in their hair when they "discovered" they had no water at around 5:40 a.m.
Chesterfield Twp. police told WWJ that they have been receiving a number of calls about residents with no water.
"Chesterfield Department of Public Safety crews have already been called in and are working diligently on solutions to re-route water to our community," city officials said in a social media post.
But the re-route will take two to three hours. The city supervisor said their Emergency Center at the Fire Station 3 at 33991 23 Mile Road near Baker has been set up and Chesterfield Township residents can stop by to get bottled water.
Cases of water are also available at Fire Station 1 at Gratiot and 22 Mile Road.
Residents in Macomb Twp. can pick up one case of water per household at Townhall located at 54111 Broughton from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1 and from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, August 2.
For more information, residents can contact the GLWA Water Quality at waterquality@glwater.org or by calling (313) 926-8102 or (313) 926-8128.
For a Frequently Asked Questions General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest updates.