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GLWA Continues Emergency Response Work on 54-inch Water Main in Southwest Detroit

GLWA CONTINUES EMERGENCY RESPONSE WORK ON 54-INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN IN SOUTHWEST DETROIT

Repairs on GLWA’s 54-inch water transmission main have been completed.
DWSD has completed the repair of its six-inch water main and water quality testing is underway.
DTE Energy is scheduled to repair its gas main the week of March 10.
Sewer cleaning in the impacted area to remove debris created by the break has been completed.
GLWA engineering and operations teams are evaluating the best next steps to ready the 54-inch transmission main for service.

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) continues its critical role as a part of the broader emergency response to a break on a 54-inch steel water transmission main at Beard and Rowan in Southwest Detroit that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, February 17, 2025.

GLWA crews and contractors have completed the repair of the 54-inch transmission main. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has also completed the repair of its six-inch water main that was damaged in the original main break, and the required water quality testing will be complete by the end of this week. GLWA and DWSD have also completed the cleaning of sewers in the impacted area to remove debris created by the break.

DTE Energy crews are scheduled to complete the repair of its damaged gas line the week of March 10, 2025.
With the repair of the 54-inch main complete, GLWA’s engineering and operations teams are evaluating the full length of the main to determine the best next steps to ready it for service.

More updates will be provided as they become available.

Residents impacted by the water main break can call (313) 774-5261 to be connected to emergency resources through the City of Detroit.

120-INCH MAIN BREAK

Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) discovered a leak on a 120-inch water transmission main that distributes finished drinking water from its Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility to communities in the northern part of GLWA’s drinking water service area (see map below). The 120-inch transmission main is the largest in the regional water distribution system.

After Action Report: 120-Inch Water Transmission Main Break


Boil Water Recovery Checklists

What to do after a boil water advisory has been lifted


WATCH THE 120-INCH MAIN BREAK UPDATE NEWS CONFERENCE

On Saturday, August 20, GLWA CEO Sue Coffey held a virtual press briefing on 120-Inch Main Break News Conference with Boil Water Advisory Lifted . Please click play on video below to watch. Press the full screen button to increase size of video for viewing.

 

On Tuesday, August 16, GLWA CEO Sue Coffey and COO-Water & Field Services Cheryl Porter held a virtual press briefing on the status of the 120-Inch main break and boil water advisory. Please click play on video below to watch. Press the full screen button to increase size of video for viewing.