AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (WILX) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and declared a state of emergency due to a massive water main break in Metro Detroit that could leave residents without water for as long as two weeks.
Whitmer activated the SEOC Sunday afternoon and declared a state of emergency in Oakland County.
Officials say a 42-inch waterline that serves the communities of Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, and Oakland Township ruptured, causing “a widespread loss of water pressure and the possibility of loss of service for Lake Orion, Orion Township, and Auburn Hills.”
By declaring a state of emergency, the governor has authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected county to ensure residents have access to water they need.
Officials with the Great Lakes Water Authority said Sunday afternoon they had isolated the water main break in Auburn Hills and crews were working to remove standing water from the site.
Once the water was removed, crews began removing and replacing the water main.
GLWA officials said Monday they were “making progress” at the site and had removed the damaged section of pipe. The next step is for crews to complete the installation of the new pipe segment by welding steel joints to the existing pipe. This was expected to be completed late Monday night, officials said.
Water over the road after 42-inch water main breaks in Oakland County(Great Lakes Water Authority)
The next step is to begin filling and disinfecting the water main, according to GLWA.
GLWA officials say it is “essential that the residents of Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, and Auburn Hills restrict their water usage to only what is necessary for hydration, food preparation and basic sanitation for the duration of the emergency.”
Water trucks are available in numerous locations to help residents get water:
⚠️💧5/10, UPDATE 3 – GLWA Water Trucks Available for Communities Impacted by Auburn Hills Water Main Break pic.twitter.com/DXMOwEuXw4
— Great Lakes Water Authority (@glwatermi) May 10, 2026
Crews initially discovered a leak at the site on May 6, but initial repair efforts were unsuccessful, according to Whitmer’s office. It’s not clear what caused the initial leak.
This is a developing story. Stay with News 10 for the latest updates as they become available on-air and online.
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