METRO DETROIT (WWJ) - A Boil Water Advisory that has affected numerous communities in Southeast Michigan since last weekend has been cancelled, officials announced Saturday morning.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) said they are lifting the advisory for the impacted seven communities: the Village of Almont, Bruce Township, Burtchville Township, Imlay City, City of Rochester, Shelby Township, and Washington Township and the industrial park in Romeo.
Only one Precautionary Boil Advisory remains in affect for a single business in Greenwood, the GLWA said
"Because of stabilized system pressures and the completion of water quality testing within the regional transmission and local distribution system in accordance with regulations set forth by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), GLWA is lifting the precautionary Boil Water Advisory, effective immediately," authorities said in a press release.
The advisory was first put in place the morning of Aug. 13 when the GLWA discovered a leak on a 120-inch water main that distributes finished drinking water from its Lake Huron Water Treatment facility to communities in the northern part of its service area.
Authorities immediately placed over 900,000 residents, mostly in Macomb and Oakland Counties, on a Boil Water Advisory.
By Sunday afternoon, officials said at least some water pressure restored to all impacted communities and as of Monday morning, only seven communities remained under the boil water advisory — including around 133,000 people.
The replacement pipe arrived this week from Texas, and GLWA officials say repairs could take up to three weeks with service to return to the area by Sept. 3.
But the GLWA warned that residents should still take precautions and be prepared for possible future advisories.
"If significant pressure drops occur in the regional system a precautionary Boil Water Advisory may need to be re-issued," authorities said.
The GLWA offered the following steps for residents in the seven communities to take prior to using their water:
1) Flush
• Unscrew and remove the faucet aerator (screen)
• Turn on each cold water faucet/tap slowly
• Run cold water for five minutes
• Clean and reinstall aerator
Flush automatic ice makers. Ice cubes made during the Boil Water Advisory should be emptied and the ice maker run through a 24-hour cycle. Make three batches of ice and discard them. The water line should be clear, and ice should be safe to consume with the fourth batch
2) Clear Hot Water Tanks/Heaters
Run hot water only at all faucets and flush until water runs cool or typically a minimum of:
i. 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot water tank
ii. 30 minutes for a hot water tank greater than 40 gallons
3) Replace Filters
Water filters, such as ones used in refrigerators, faucets, pitchers and under the sink, are not designed to remove the specific bacteria potentially present during a Boil Water Advisory. If you ran water through your filter during the Boil Water Advisory, the filter should be replaced.
• Remove and discard water filters
• Replace with a new filter following flushing
For a full list of actions for residents and businesses to take after a Boil Water Advisory is lifted, please click HERE.
Authorities are asking the 23 initially impacted communities to still curb their outdoor water usage and refrain from watering plants and lawns as crews work to complete the repair.
As of Saturday, workers were on site to remove the damaged section of the pipe which is expected to be lifted by a crane this weekend, authorities said.
The GLWA said the repair timeline remains at three weeks.
The cause of the break is still under investigation.
Related
