Michigan water main rupture forces 935,000 to boil water

Saturday, about 935,000 individuals in southeastern Michigan were warned to boil their drinking water due to a pipe burst.

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) said that Flint, Pontiac, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Utica, and Troy were among the 23 communities.

The site of the leak was determined to be roughly one mile west of the Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility.

Saturday afternoon, in reaction to the ruptured water main, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

According to the governor’s office, the SEOC “has received requests for bottled water and is trying to fulfill them.”

The organization said that the 120-inch water main in St. Clair County transports treated water from Lake Huron and is the biggest in the system.

“Once the breach has been isolated, personnel will begin opening emergency connections to other mains in the system to restore some water supply to the affected towns,” according to the agency.

“A lack of pressure may lead to bacterial contamination in the water system,” the GLWA added. “Boiling water before using it can eliminate any bacteria or other organisms in the water.”

Residents in the impacted counties are warned to boil their drinking water before consumption. Residents are advised to bring all water to a boil for at least one minute and then allow it to cool before consumption.

“Until further notice, only boiled, bottled, or disinfected water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing meals,” the agency said.