Tens of thousands in Michigan issued water advisory after water break

Tens of thousands of people in Michigan were issued a precautionary boil water advisory Saturday after authorities discovered a water break in Metro Detroit's largest main supply line.

According to the advisory issued by the Greater Lakes Water Authority GLWA, about 280,000 people in 13 communities including Rochester city, Washington Township and Chesterfield Township were affected by the advisory issued by the Greater Lakes Water Authority GLWA, which initially issued the advisory for 23 communities before lowering the number.

Two businesses in Greenwood and the Imlay Township were impacted, the GLWA said in a separate statement.

The statement said residents should not drink water without boiling it first. Residents must bring all water to a boil for at least one minute and then let it cool before using. Boiled, bottled or disinfected water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center Saturday afternoon.

She said that our top priority is to protect the public health and safety of Michigan residents until this water main is fixed as quickly as possible. She said that we will continue to work with local officials and will be prepared to give the full weight of state resources to get the job done.

The GWLA said the break was located about one mile west of Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility, causing a dip in pressure on the main supply lines.

An advisory is issued if the water pressure falls below 20 psi, it said. It added that a prolonged loss of pressure can result in bacterial contamination of the water system.

The city of Flint, which was initially covered by the advisory, was switched to a secondary water source soon after the emergency alert by GLWA and was no longer at risk of contamination, city officials said Saturday in a statement.

The advisory will be in effect until the water is verified safe for consumption, and the cause of the water break was not known, according to the GWLA.

After the leak is isolated, crews will open emergency connections to other mains in the system to restore partial flow.