FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        10:00 a.m.

September 30, 2022

UPDATE 20

120-INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN BREAK 

• Flushing and disinfection process of the 120-inch water transmission main is completed
• Three rounds of water quality testing completed; results confirm that the water meets or surpasses regulatory standards
• GLWA has now begun the process of returning the regional system to normal operations; this is expected to occur by October 5 

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is providing an update on the August 13 break to the 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.

As repairs were being made, GLWA communicated that there were three phases to the repair process: 1) water main inspection and repair, 2) water main disinfection, flushing, and water quality testing; and 3) restoration of the water transmission main to normal operations.

With phases one and two completed, and water quality testing results confirming that the water meets or surpasses regulatory standards, GLWA has now begun the process of returning the 120-inch water transmission main to service, as well as the rest of the regional system to normal operations. While GLWA does not expect there to be any major impacts to the regional system during the restoration, some of the 23 originally impacted communities may see limited fluctuations in their water pressure throughout the next day or so.

GLWA expects this return to normal operations to occur by October 5.

More information will be shared as it becomes available.

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About the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA)

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is the provider-of-choice for drinking water services to nearly 40 percent, and efficient and effective wastewater services to nearly 30 percent, of Michigan’s population. With the Great Lakes as source water, GLWA is uniquely positioned to provide those it serves with water of unquestionable quality. GLWA also has the capacity to extend its services beyond its 88 member partner communities. As part of its commitment to water affordability, the Authority offers a Water Residential Assistance Program to assist low-income households in participating member communities throughout the system. GLWA’s board includes one representative each from Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties, two representatives from the city of Detroit, and one appointed by the Michigan governor to represent member partner communities outside of the tri-county area.