'This Is Not A Drill:' Some Oakland County Residents Could Lose Water For 2 Weeks After Major Line Break

AUBURN HILLS, MI — Some Oakland County residents could be without water for at least two weeks after a major main break Sunday morning, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority.

The 42-inch transmission main, located in River Woods Park in Auburn Hills, broke at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, officials said.

The waterline serves multiple communities, including Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Pontiac and Rochester Hills.

They added Orion Township, Lake Orion and parts of northern Auburn Hills could lose water service entirely as crews repair the line, a process that could take up to two weeks.

A boil water advisory was in effect for residents in Auburn Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, Pontiac and large parts of Rochester Hills and Oakland Township.

Under a boil water advisory, residents must bring all water to a boil for 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.

Officials ask residents in those areas to restrict their water usage to only what is necessary for hydration, food preparation and basic sanitation while crews repair the line. They ask residents to not run dishwashers, washing machines or water their lawns at this time.

Officials said the break is the same line they discovered leaking last week. Crews would typically isolate and immediately repair the leak, but doing so in this situation would have forced all of Orion Township and part of Auburn Hills to be without water due to the system's layout.

They were working to reroute water before permanently fixing the leak when the line broke. Now crews have no choice but to close the north and south end valves to repair the line.

Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion and the northern section of Auburn Hills were no longer receiving water from GLWA. Instead, they are now relying on local water towers.

Officials warned the water towers may not last through repairs.

"This is not a drill," said Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett at a new conference Sunday. "This a very serious situation and we need your attention."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency, meaning officials will use all available state resources to help with the repairs and ensure residents have access to water they need.

"We are activating all available state resources to help support impacted communities, restore water service as quickly as possible, and ensure Michiganders have access to safe drinking water," Whitmer said. "I appreciate the swift response from emergency personnel, local officials, and utility crews actively working to address this situation."

Water trucks are available at the following locations:

• Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Court, Orion Township
• Auburn Hills Department of Public Works, 1500 Brown Road
• Village of Lake Orion, Atwater Park, 426 Atwater Street