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Auburn Hills water main break: GLWA CEO explains what happened
Great Lakes Water Authority CEO Susan Coffey describes how a leak in an Auburn Hills water main last week led to a break that is expected to leave people in several communities, including Orion Township and Lake Orion, without water.
AUBURN HILLS, MICH (Fox 2) - A water main break early Sunday in Auburn Hills is impacting residents of several surrounding communities, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
A few hours after the break, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the area.
"We are activating all available state resources to help support impacted communities, restore water service as quickly as possible, and ensure Michiganders have access to safe drinking water," Whitmer said. "I appreciate the swift response from emergency personnel, local officials, and utility crews actively working to address this situation."
According to GLWA, the break occurred on a 42-inch main in River Woods Park around 1:30 a.m. GLWA said valves, which were identified in neighboring townships when the main first began leaking last week, were closed for crews to work on the main.
Residents in Orion Township, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, and Auburn Hills are asked to restrict their water usage to only essentials, including hydration, food preparation, and basic sanitation. Residents should not run dishwashers, washing machines, or water their lawn.