The ongoing water emergency has not worsened in Orion Township, as its water tower has not run dry as feared.
However, conservation remains import so they don’t run out of water.
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said “great progress” is being made on the site of the Auburn Hills 42-inch water main that ruptured at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
He said an emergency workaround is bringing water from Pontiac lines to add to the Orion Township water tower. In Pontiac on Sunday, residents were asked to not water lawns so as to not impact water pressure during this period.
“That’s doing enough to keep us where we are at,” Barnett said. “We’re not gaining ground yet and we’re certainly not out of the woods.”
The boil water alert remains in effect and residents are still asked to conserve water, using only for hydration and basic hygiene and sanitation, meaning no laundry, dishes and lawn watering, Barnett said in a video address to the community.
A view of the site where a 42-inch water main broke early Sunday morning in River Woods Park just north of downtown Auburn Hills. The GLWA said a new piece of piple could be in place by the end of Tuesday. (Great Lakes Water Authority)
The 42-inch water main was the only water going to Orion Township and Lake Orion, and the water tower’s 2.5 million gallons generally gets consumed in a day. So the goal is to conserve so they don’t run out.
Drinking water is still being distributed at three locations, including Atwater Park in Lake Orion, Wildwood Amphitheatre near the Orion Township Hall, and the Auburn Hills DPW on Brown Road — opened 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Five semi trucks filled with water were planned to arrive Monday.
Barnett suggested taking children to parks as schools are closed through Tuesday. He said additional portable toilets have been placed throughout the township.
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett addresses the community about the water emergency. (Orion Township’s Facebook page)
For people who are homebound, Barnett said the township would work to get water to you. Call 248-391-0304 if you need drinking water delivered if you cannot get out. In Oakland Township, Oakview Middle School, located at 917 Lake George Road, has water and is opened Monday and Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for people to use restrooms and fill water bottles. The school, part of Lake Orion Community Schools, is on well water.
Communities such as Oxford Township and most of Oakland Township are on community well systems and are not impacted by this water main break.
Oakland University asked its community to follow Auburn Hills’ emergency guidelines, which are to restrict usage for only emergency purposes. Oakland Community College’s Auburn Hills campus was closed Monday but hybrid and online classes were held. There no word yet on Tuesday.
The Rochester Hills city government is continuing its restrictions, asking residents and businesses citywide to lower use so that water customers in the northwest portion of the city and in southern Oakland Township do not lose water pressure.
When this started early Sunday morning, neighborhoods in those areas experienced little to no water pressure. However, after the city sent out its emergency alert to reduce usage, the water pressure increased.
“We know people still need to live their lives, take showers, wash dishes, and the like,” the city of Rochester Hills posted on Facebook. “We aren’t telling you to not do those essential things. We are simply asking you to do so in moderation and to not do those extra things.
“Simply put, be a good neighbor. Throughout this emergency, we have seen just that and we are not surprised because this community is made up of really good people.”
For instance, the Meijer at Adams and M-59 had set up portable toilets. In Auburn Hills, the Costco stayed open but closed its food-serving and food preparation areas. The Detroit News reported that Stellantis employees were working from home.
Portable toilets were being set up at the Meijer on Adams Road in Rochester Hills on Sunday, May 10, as the city has requested residents and businesses reduce water use. (Stephen Frye / MediaNews Group)
Both Rochester Hills and Orion Township reported that the Great Lakes Water Authority is making good progress and expect to have the new segment of pipe to be installed by Tuesday. However, once restored, the boil water will remain until testing occurs. Officials had said Sunday that they would not know the timeline until the broken main was removed and estimated repairs to could take a week or even two weeks.
Barnett said he understands people have been frustrated and many are questioning the work being done.
“Let’s let the experts do what they do,” Barnett said. “We are doing the fix the right way the first time.”
As for the schools, Lake Orion Community Schools still will be closed Tuesday, but as of midday Monday, Avondale School District had not announced its decision for Tuesday, having closed Monday. Rochester Community Schools were open Monday with bottled water provided for drinking.
Barnett thanked the community for being neighborly and helping one another with Mother’s Day ruined for families and businesses, saying he understands the frustration.
“We have the best community. We’re blessed. We have a positive outlook,” Barnett said. “We will get through this. Get out and enjoy the trails and enjoy the parks.”
Non-essential water usage could lead to legal trouble as loss of water could take weeks
‘This is not a drill’: Water main break means faucets will run dry in parts of Oakland County