(WWJ) A Boil Water Advisory affecting multiple Metro Detroit communities in the wake of a massive water main break over the weekend could last for two weeks.
Officials with the Great Lakes Water Authority say a replacement pipe has arrived from Texas but, “barring any unforeseen circumstances,” the timeline for returning the pipeline to service remains two weeks from the date of the initial break on Aug. 13.
That includes one week for repairs and one week for water quality testing.
GLWA officials on Saturday morning discovered a leak on a 120-inch water main near Port Huron that distributes finished drinking water from its Lake Huron Water Treatment facility to communities in the northern part of its service area.
Officials said nearly a million people were under the initial Boil Water Advisory after the discovery of the leak. That number was down on Monday to about 133,000 people in seven communities – Almont, Bruce Township, Burtchville Township, Imlay City, the City of Rochester, Shelby Township and Washington Township.
Some other communities across Metro Detroit may be experiencing slightly lower water pressure, but are not under the advisory.
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Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis says 85% of the township's water comes from the main pipe that broke over the weekend.
Stathakis said after the delivery of the replacement pipe from Texas, officials are “scrambling” to get some contractors to work on the repair.
“Hopefully that will be a two-week process, and not more,” Stathakis said.
Residents are being warned by the Great Lakes Water Authority that they will be without water for some time.
Others are stepping up to help people impacted by the advisory to get the water they need. While bottled water is flying off the shelves at many stores across the area, authorities in the city of Rochester, are distributing cases of bottled water at the fire station on E. 2nd Street.
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WWJ’s Jon Hewett reported there was still a “decent supply” left at the station after heavy car traffic thinned out from earlier in the day. The distribution center is only for residents of the City of Rochester – not Rochester Hills, which is not impacted by the advisory.
Alek Mizikar, the Director of Public Services for Rochester, says this is a “fluid situation,” and he’s crossing his fingers that it won’t take any longer than two weeks.
A second water distribution center is available at the Washington Township Hall at 57900 Van Dyke.
To assist communities impacted by the Boil Water Advisory, GLWA has put together a Frequently Asked Questions page, available on its website at www.glwater.org.