PROCESS TO LIFT BOIL WATER ADVISORIES IN WALLED LAKE AND NOVI CONTINUES
DAMAGED PIPE SECTION HAS BEEN REPLACED; PROCESS TO LIFT BOIL WATER ADVISORIES IN WALLED LAKE AND NOVI CONTINUES
• Water pressures in Novi and Walled Lake are currently near normal levels
• Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for Novi and Walled Lake
• Process to lift boil water advisories continues
• Installation of new section of steel main has been completed
• Inspection of adjacent main has determined an additional 20-foot section west of the current break site must be replaced
• Both sections of pipe replacement are expected to be completed this week
• The new work will not impact the mid-week target for lifting the boil water advisories
DETROIT – At approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) discovered a break on a 48-inch water transmission main on 14 Mile Road at Verona, which is between Drake and Farmington Roads in Farmington Hills.
Field Service crews and emergency contractors have completed the installation of the new 20-foot section of steel main. It is anticipated that the installation should be completed by the end of the day on Monday. After an inspection of the main on either side of the current break area, an additional 20-foot section of distressed main 80-feet west of the current break was identified and will be replaced this week.
The process for lifting the boil water advisories in Novi and Walled Lake continues with Novi and Walled Lake conducting flushing of their systems. The first of two required rounds of water quality testing is being taken today. The second round of testing will be taken 24 hours later. If both rounds of testing come back clear, it is anticipated that the boil water advisories could be lifted by mid-week.
The replacement of the additionally identified 20-foot section of main will not impact the proposed mid-week target for lifting the boil water advisories.
The Oakland County Health Division has created a helpful checklist for residents and businesses to use once Novi and Walled Lake emerge from the boil water advisories.
GLWA will share more information as it becomes available.
Update 21: 120-inch Water Transmission Main Break
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11:00 a.m.
October 03, 2022
- 120-inch water transmission main returned to service; regional system restored to normal operations
- All requests for limited outdoor water usage lifted
- Final incident report due to EGLE in 30 days
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.
This past weekend GLWA returned its 120-inch water transmission main back to service and the regional system back to normal operations. This was several days ahead of the previously stated timeline of October 5. With normal operations restored, GLWA is lifting the request that the 23 originally impacted communities limit outdoor water usage.
“On behalf of everyone at GLWA, I want to express my gratitude to our member partner communities and their residents for their collaboration and support as we worked through the complexities of the break on what is the largest pipe in our regional system,” said Suzanne R. Coffey, GLWA Chief Executive Officer. “Although we encountered a number of obstacles along the way, I am so proud of how everyone involved dug-in and used their knowledge, skills and ingenuity to ensure that we made the repair as quickly as possible and kept our focus on protecting the public health.”
A final incident report is due to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) within 30 days. GLWA will post the completed report on its website, once it is submitted to EGLE.
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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.