ORION TWP. (WWJ) -- The water is running again for tens of thousands of northern Oakland County residents impacted by a major water main break.
Officials announced Wednesday afternoon that water pressure in a transmission line that ruptured over the weekend has returned to normal, and that residents in Lake Orion, Orion Township, Auburn Hills, Pontiac and Rochester Hills no longer have to restrict water usage.
The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect, however, until all required water quality testing is completed.
That may be a couple days, according to the Great Lakes Water Authorities (GLWA).
With the water restrictions lifted, Stellantis said workers at the Chrysler Tech Center, Chrysler Office Building, Featherstone Road Engineering Center, Quality Engineering Center and Lapeer Road Marshalling Center should report to their respective locations as scheduled on Thursday.
Those employees had been working from home since the beginning of the week.
Looking ahead, GLWA officials said it's expected to cost more than $1 billion to replace all 80 miles of pipe that is similar to the one that broke.
And they're warning there could be more breaks like this one because of the lack of investment in infrastructure. GLWA CEO Sue Coffey said it's clear that more funding is needed.
"We all drive over the roads, and they drive us nuts, and we have all kinds of good work being done on the roads," Coffey said. "Water infrastructure is under the roads, and in many cases it's older than the roads. And if you all could see it, the way that we see it, you'd understand, and it's our job to help you to see it."
"It's unfortunate that situations like this have to happen to raise that profile.
Water Distribution Centers
Impacted residents can pick up free water again on Wednesday (5/13) until 7 p.m. at:
- Wildwood Amphitheater in Orion Township
- Atwater Park in Lake Orion
- Auburn Hills Department of Public Works on Brown Rd .
- Von Maur store parking lot on Adams Rd. in Rochester Hills
Boil Water Advisory remains in effect in several communities
Boil Water Advisory remains in effect in several communities
