Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency of Lapeer County, Macomb County, Oakland County and St. Clair County following the water main break near the Great Lakes Water Authority’s substation.
The break has caused a boil water advisory for several communities within Michigan.
“We are drawing on every resource we have and taking every action necessary to get impacted families the help they need,” Whitmer said in a public statement.
Whitmer’s emergency declaration makes multiple state resources and organizations available to assist local response and recovery efforts. These include the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.
Seven cities are still under a boil water advisory after a water main break was reported Saturday, Aug. 13.
According to the Great Lakes Water Authority, repairs and water quality testing may take up to two weeks to complete..
Whitmer has also activated the State Emergency Operations Center, after a 120-inch Lake Huron Water Treatment facility main was discovered to have a break.
Update: Boil Water advisory now affects only 13 communities
The SEOC activation “will ensure that all state resources are available to support the local communities, as necessary,” according to a release from the group.
The SEOC is working to fulfill requests for bottled water, and they state they will take additional steps to ensure public health and safety.
As of 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township, Mayfield Township, Macomb Township, and New Haven have been removed from the boil water advisory.
Seven municipalities are still under under a boil water advisory due to the main break, down from 23 municipalities initially reported Saturday.
Those cities include
- Almont
- Bruce Township
- Burtchville Township
- Imlay City
- Rochester
- Shelby Township
- Washington Township
The city of Romeo was initially added to this list. A subsequent statement from the GLWA indicates the advisory does not affect the entire city of Romeo, but just the industrial park.
Additionally, one business in Imlay Township and one business in Greenwood have been affected by the water main break.
