Michigan declares emergency after Oakland County water main break

8 articles · Updated · WDIV ClickOnDetroit · May 10

Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center after the 42-inch GLWA main ruptured in Auburn Hills, disrupting service across six communities and prompting water distribution sites.
Officials warned some areas could lose water entirely, boil-water advisories and burn bans were issued, and schools, daycares and in-person college classes closed or changed operations.
The main had been leaking since May 6, but isolating it earlier risked faster outages; GLWA said repairs, testing and local sampling mean residents should prepare for at least 14 days without water.

A 100-year pipe failed in half the time. What part of Michigan’s infrastructure is poised to collapse next?

As thousands face a 14-day water outage, what is the true cost of decades of deferred maintenance?