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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

READ MORE HERE.

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

GLWA continues to make progress at the site of its 42-inch water main break in Auburn Hills

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GLWA continues to make progress at the site of its 42-inch Water Main Break in Auburn Hills

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   UPDATE 5: 2:30 p.m.

May 11, 2026

Media Contacts:

Zakiyyah Wade / M: 313-844-3428/ zakiyyah@vvkagency.com

michelle.zdrodowski@glwater.org

 

GLWA CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS AT THE SITE OF ITS

42-INCH WATER MAIN BREAK IN AUBURN HILLS

  • At approximately 3:15 a.m. today, 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.

DETROIT – The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is providing an update on the 42-inch water transmission main break located in River Woods Park in Auburn Hills.

GLWA continues to urge the residents of Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, Pontiac, and Auburn Hills to restrict their water usage to only what is absolutely necessary for hydration and basic sanitation for the duration of the emergency. Please do not run dishwashers, washing machines, or water your lawn.

GLWA’s Field Service crews and emergency contractors continued working 24/7 at the break site and were able to finish cutting the damaged pipe segment away from the rest of the pipe today at approximately 3:15 a.m. The damaged segment of pipe was then removed at approximately 4:00 a.m. They then worked to lay a foundation of gravel in anticipation of the new pipe being placed, which occurred at approximately 11:15 a.m. today.

The next step is for crews to complete the installation of the new pipe segment by welding steel joints to the existing pipe. This is expected to be completed late Monday night.

Work will then begin to fill and disinfect the watermain.

To continue assisting the impacted communities, GLWA once again deployed its three water trucks to provide residents with one-gallon containers of water. These trucks can provide 2,000 one gallon containers in each trip. The water trucks are stationed at the following locations from 8:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. each day:

Orion Township

  • Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Court

Auburn Hills

  • Auburn Hills Department of Public Works, 1500 Brown Road

Village of Lake Orion

  • Atwater Park, 426 Atwater Street

 

On Sunday, May 10th, the water truck had given out a total of 7,000 gallons of water via the three locations.

 

For the most updated information, please visit glwater.org, or sign up for your community’s emergency alert system. For the communities impacted by this water main break those are:

  • Orion Township (CivicPlus)
    • Text “OrionMI” to 38276
    • Sign up online HERE
  • Oakland County (OakAlert)
    • Sign up online HERE
  • Rochester Hills (RH Connect)
    • Sign up online HERE

 

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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.