Oakland County Water Main Break: 51,000 Without Water, Authority Says

NOVI, MI — About 305,000 Oakland County residents have been affected by Monday’s water main break in Farmington Hills and 51,000 were without water as of late Tuesday, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority.

In Novi, the situation is improving. The city is receiving some water after a 10-inch main was installed Tuesday, bypassing the main break, according to Novi officials.

“At this time, ALL residents and business should have some type of water flow; pressure may differ depending on where you are located,” Novi Communications Director Sheryl Walsh said in a statement Wednesday morning. “We are strongly requesting everyone to please conserve water.

“Until the water main is repaired, the supply we are receiving is flowing through a 10-inch main as compared to a 48-inch one, thus a demand on the system could be potentially stressful to the pipes and cause additional problems.”

A boil water advisory remains in effect at least until Friday, according to the Water Authority. It expects to have the 48-inch transmission main repair completed by late Wednesday.

>>>Novi Businesses, Residents Adjust To Break

But the Authority said two days of water quality testing will need to be completed before the boil advisory can be lifted. It is aiming for Friday evening to end the advisory. Communities affected include:

• Bloomfield Township; Commerce; Farmington Hills – North of 696; Keego Harbor; Oakland Township – The Hills of Oakland and Kings Pointe Subdivisions only; Orchard Lake; Novi – In the area bounded by 14 mile on the north, 8 mile on the south, Napier on the west, and Haggerty on the east; Rochester Hills – North of Hamlin and West of Livernois; Wixom; West Bloomfield Township and Walled Lake.

Water Authority officials are still investigating the cause of the break and wouldn’t speculate at a Tuesday news conference. Meanwhile, Novi officials said it was caused by a power surge that originated in Livonia.

The surge sent highly pressurized water north in the Great Lakes Water Authority system causing the break in the transmission main to fail on 14 Mile Road between Farmington and Drake roads, Novi officials said.

In a statement, the Water Authority did say the transmission pipe that was damaged was 47 years old and “in the middle of its service life.” There had been no prior breaks or issues with this water transmission pipe before Monday. The Authority added that it’s considering adding a condition assessment of transmission pipes.

“Through discussions with GLWA customer communities, we have selected a project approach and are planning for it in our Capital Improvement Plan,” The Authority said in the statement. “We are actively searching for ways to expedite the schedule of this plan.”

Back in Novi, the city is continuing to distribute bottled water to residents:

• Bottled water is available at the Novi Civic Center and Fire Station #2 from 8 a.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m.

• Tankers with clean drinking water are located at Novi High School, Novi Middle School and the DPS facility for residents. Please bring your own containers to fill.

Portable restrooms are also available for the community's use at the following locations:

• Police Department: 45125 Ten Mile
• Civic Center: 45175 Ten Mile

Fire Stations:

• #1 42975 Grand River
• #2 1919 Paramount
• #3 42785 Nine Mile
• #4 49375 10 Mile

Photo by Scott Daniel (Patch Staff)