The 42-inch water main that had been leaking in Auburn Hills broke early Sunday, bringing the worst case scenario that local leaders feared.
Beyond the restricted usage of water and the boil water warnings, residents could experience total water loss for days.
The water main services all of Orion Township and Lake Orion as well as Auburn Hills, northwest Rochester Hills and a small part of southern Oakland Township.
The Great Lake Water Authority said residents in Lake Orion, Orion Township, Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills must reduce their water usage during this emergency.
“This is a very serious message, probably the most serious message I’ve delivered to our community,” said Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said in a video statement.
“The worst possible situation has happened. The main water line that services our community has completely broken. We are currently getting zero water from outside of our system.”
He said the 2.5 million gallons in the water tower is generally used in one day, so non -essential businesses, churches and schools will close. He asked all residents to only use water for essential purposes – hydration and basic sanitation – to make that water last, and water will be handed out.
Barnett said township officials already started moving people in assisted living facilities to other communities and will also do so with people in group homes.
Lake Orion Community Schools have already cancelled classes for Monday, and they are awaiting for a full assessment of the situation to determine the next steps. Barnett said they had previously been in contact with the schools about the potential problems after the leak was found.
The repairs could take a week or longer.
“They’re telling us up to two weeks,” Barnett said. “This is a time to shine. This is not a drill.”
Barnett said later in a press conference that Orion Township has about 10,000 water customers.
Orion Township has a population of about 40,000, with Lake Orion at nearly 3,000, and Auburn Hills has about 27,000. To the north, Oxford is on a community well system.
The pipe was installed in 1975 and was expected to last a century, the GLWA reported in the press conference.
The water main impacted is in River Wood Park in Auburn Hills was found to be leaking on May 6, and local leaders shared concerns of a potential break.
Auburn Hills declared a state of emergency and is restricting water usage to only essential purposes. The city said the water main break occurred at 1:30 a.m. Sunday and caused brief flooding.
“Emergency personnel and city staff immediately responded to the scene of the break, which caused significant flooding within the park and on Squirrel Road,” Auburn Hills reported. “GLWA was able to shut off water to this section of the main transmission line and water was able to be drained from the road. Emergency personnel confirmed that no one was injured during this incident. Squirrel Road was temporarily shut down for a period of time but has since re-opened to traffic. River Woods Park will remain closed until further notice while GLWA completes the necessary repairs.
“Residents and businesses shall only use water for emergency purposes. For all areas within the city limits, north of Taylor Road, water is currently being supplied by a municipal water tower, however this may not last until repairs are completed. In this area of the city, water may eventually run out. For areas south of Taylor Road the use of water for emergency purposes only is also in effect, as alternative resources are being utilized to provide water in this area of the city.
“A MANDATORY BOIL WATER ADVISORY has been issued for all areas of the City of Auburn Hills, north of Cross Creek Parkway/University Drive. Residents and water users should not drink the water without boiling it first.”
Orion Township declared an emergency midday Saturday to it could request assistance if needed. About 12 hours later the water main broke.