NOVI, MI — About 305,000 Oakland County residents have been affected by Monday’s water main break in Farmington Hills and 51,000 were without water as of late Tuesday, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
In Novi, the situation is improving.
The city is receiving some water after a 10-inch main was installed Tuesday, bypassing the main break, according to Novi officials.
“We are strongly requesting everyone to please conserve water.
“Until the water main is repaired, the supply we are receiving is flowing through a 10-inch main as compared to a 48-inch one, thus a demand on the system could be potentially stressful to the pipes and cause additional problems.” A boil water advisory remains in effect at least until Friday, according to the Water Authority.
It expects to have the 48-inch transmission main repair completed by late Wednesday.
The surge sent highly pressurized water north in the Great Lakes Water Authority system causing the break in the transmission main to fail on 14 Mile Road between Farmington and Drake roads, Novi officials said.
In a statement, the Water Authority did say the transmission pipe that was damaged was 47 years old and “in the middle of its service life.” There had been no prior breaks or issues with this water transmission pipe before Monday.
“Through discussions with GLWA customer communities, we have selected a project approach and are planning for it in our Capital Improvement Plan,” The Authority said in the statement.
“We are actively searching for ways to expedite the schedule of this plan.” Back in Novi, the city is continuing to distribute bottled water to residents: Bottled water is available at the Novi Civic Center and Fire Station #2 from 8 a.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Tankers with clean drinking water are located at Novi High School, Novi Middle School and the DPS facility for residents.