GLWA Experiences Break on Leaking 42-inch Water Main in Auburn Hills’ River Woods Park
->At approximately 3:15 a.m. 5/11/2026, crews from GLWA’s emergency contractors cut through the broken pipe
->At approximately 4:00 a.m. the damaged pipe was removed
->After the damaged pipe was removed crews worked to prepare the site for installation of the new pipe by laying a foundation of gravel for support
->Overnight a separate crew as preparing the new pipe segment for placement
->At approximately 11:15 a.m. the replacement pipe segment was craned into the site, and crews are working to complete the installation process, which is targeted to be finished by Monday night
->Next steps then include filling the pipe with water, pressure testing and disinfection.
->GLWA’s three water trucks continue giving water away at three locations throughout the impacted areas
->Residents of Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, City of Rochester Hills, Pontiac, and Auburn Hills should still restrict their water use to only what is absolutely necessary for hydration and essential sanitary purposes
Find all updates regarding the main break here.
La GLWA está experimentando una ruptura en una tubería principal de 42 pulgadas ubicada en River Woods Park, Auburn Hills. Click aquí para mayor información
14 Mile 42-inch Water Main Project
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), in collaboration with its member partner communities of Commerce Township, Walled Lake, Wixom and Novi, has developed an action plan to continue building resiliency in the regional system after a 42-inch water transmission main broke on 14 Mile Road, west of M5, at the end of September. This plan was developed based on extensive data garnered from the recent inspection of nearly four miles of this transmission main.
The action plan, which involves both water main replacement and renewal, will occur in three phases over the next seven months, spanning mid-January 2026 through late April, with road restoration expected to be completed by the end of June.
GLWA estimates that it will be investing $12.8 million in this critical infrastructure resiliency work. Within the last year, GLWA also completed a more than $110 million redundancy loop project in the water transmission system which allowed restoration of water service much more quickly than in previous breaks.
Project Updates 5/1/26
Our team has made great progress in the field on the 14 Mile 42-inch project. Updates include:
- GLWA crews are anticipating successful bacteriological testing this weekend on the remaining sections of 42” main to Wixom
- Crews have begun roadway and right-of-way restoration on 14 Mile Road at the west end of the project. Efforts currently focused on section west of Centennial Dr to project limits.
- Current traffic closures:
- EB 14 Mile Rd between Walled Lake and M-5 remains closed
GLWA Continues Improvements Along 14 Mile Road; Implements Additional Traffic Control Restriction to Ensure Worker Safety
14 Mile 42-inch Project Map and Timeline
42-inch Main Project FAQs
Learn about the happenings of the 42-inch main project on 14 Mile Road.
42-inch Main Break Updates
Download all the updates regarding the 42-inch main break on 14 Mile Road
