42-Inch Water Main Update 1 – GLWA Working to Address the Leak in Auburn Hills’ River Woods Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPDATE 1
May 8, 2026

Media Contacts:
Stephen Jones / M: 248-202-6166/ stephen@vvkagency.com
Michelle Zdrodowski / C: 313-618-0552 / michelle.zdrodowski@glwater.org

GLWA WORKING TO ADDRESS A LEAK ON ITS 42-INCH WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN IN AUBURN HILLS’ RIVER WOODS PARK

• The leak on GLWA’s 42-inch water transmission main in Auburn Hills is stable.
• GLWA has worked with its member partner communities to identify and begin implementing a repair plan for the leaking pipe; GLWA crews are at the leak site and prepared to respond in the event the pipe breaks.
• Water use restrictions are not currently required in Auburn Hills, Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, and the northern section of Auburn Hills; They will be required if the water main breaks.

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has discovered a leak on its 42-inch water transmission main located within River Woods Park in the city of Auburn Hills. The area around the break within the park has been cordoned off for public safety.

GLWA has been working closely with its member partner communities of Auburn Hills, Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, Pontiac, and Rochester Hills to develop and coordinate two response concurrent scenarios. Outlined below are the details of the two scenarios:
• Planned Repair Execution (if the leak remains stable; this would result in the least impact to residents and businesses):
o This scenario involves creating a bypass and rerouting water from other parts of the system via a temporary booster pump station to boost pressures to allow flow to Auburn Hills and Orion Township;
o While people would still have water, it is likely that boil water advisories would need to be issued in Orion Township, Lake Orion and the northern portion of Auburn Hills due to a drop in pressure caused by the required connection to the bypass.

• Immediate (if the pipe breaks before the planned repair can be executed; this would have highest impact to residents and businesses):
o GWLA’s Field Service Team has been at the site around the clock and have identified and exercised the valves necessary to isolate the system. Isolating the system is the first step in the repair process;
o Emergency repair contractors have been mobilized to the site with equipment and a replacement section of pipe to begin the repair as soon as it is possible;
o The Authority’s three water trucks are prepared to provide water in event of a break. Each truck has capacity to provide 2,000 one gallon containers;
o This scenario would likely result in Orion Township, Lake Orion and the northern portion of Auburn Hills being without water (see attached map) for some period of time. Also, the city of Rochester Hills would likely be under a boil water advisory.

“GLWA’s goal is to implement this repair as quickly and safely as possible,” said Suzanne R. Coffey, CEO, GLWA. “Our purpose in sharing this information is not to alarm people, but to keep them informed so that they can be prepared in the event that a water outage or a boil water advisory does occur. I want to thank our member partner communities and their emergency responders for working with us to ensure that plans are in place to help protect the health and safety of their residents during this developing situation.”

Because the situation is currently stable, GLWA is not requesting that any of the impacted communities limit their water usage. However, in the event of a water outage Orion Township, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills and the city of Auburn Hills will be asked to immediately begin restricting water usage.

A timeline for the implementation of the repair scenario is being finalized and will be shared early next week.

If residents or businesses in the Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion and the northern section of Auburn Hills notice water pressure and water quality concerns, they should contact their municipality’s Department of Public Works. 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.