Ruptured Oakland County Water Main Fixed, But Advisories Remain In Place

AUBURN HILLS, MI — Crews have fixed a major water main break that forced several Oakland County communities to limit their water usage this week.

The 42-inch transmission main, located in River Woods Park in Auburn Hills, broke at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, affecting residents in Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Pontiac and Rochester Hills.

Great Lakes Water Authority CEO Susan Coffey said Tuesday the new pipe has been installed, pressurized and disinfected.

Coffey called the repairs a "major milestone," but noted several steps still need to be taken before the water is safe to drink.

Normal water pressure should return to those communities sometime Thursday, but bacterial tests still need to move forward before the water system fully returns to normal.

"It’s going to be something much later — more like Sunday, Monday perhaps," Coffey said. "But I can’t give you any sort of definitive timeline on that."

In the meantime, Coffey asked residents in the affected areas to restrict their water usage to only what is necessary for hydration, food preparation and basic sanitation.

Boil water advisories are still in effect for Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, the northern part of Auburn Hills and the northwest corner of Rochester Hills.

Pontiac is not under a boil water advisory, but officials asked residents to limit their use.

Officials will work toward lifting the boil advisories once the pressure is restored, Coffey said.

Officials initially said some communities could be without water for up to two weeks amid repairs.

The original pipe was installed in 1975 and was supposed to last 100 years. Officials haven't exactly said what caused the main to break, but Coffey said deterioration was a factor.

Water trucks were still 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