ORION TWP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A leak in a massive 42-inch water main in Auburn Hills has prompted a state of emergency for Orion Township. Governor Whitmer has declared a State of Emergency in Oakland County because of this.
Watch Tiarra's report below
Officials say the leak, discovered on Thursday, has gotten progressively worse over the last few days.
"It is essential that the residents of Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, and Auburn Hills restrict their water usage to only what is necessary for hydration, food preparation and basic sanitation for the duration of the emergency," the Great Lakes Water Authority said in a social media post.
We're told that all Lake Orion Community Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to this leak. In addition to this, Avondale School District and Crown of Life Preschool, Rochester are closed Monday with building problems and classes at Oakland Comm College-Auburn Hills have been shifted to online. Also, Stellantis told us in a statement that "employees working at the Chrysler Technology Center, Lapeer Road Marshalling Center, Chrysler Office Building, Featherstone Road Engineering Center and other area facilities should work remotely on Monday, May 11" due to this water main break.
Hear from officials after Sunday press conference in Orion Township
Aerial video shows crews working to repair water main break in Orion Township
If the main were to break, all of Orion Township would not have water for 2 days to potentially 2 weeks.
Great Lakes Water Authority crews are working around the clock at the site in Auburn Hills to prevent the break from happening.
Water trucks have been deployed in three locations for communities impacted by the break:
- Atwater Park (426 Atwater Street)
- Wildwood Amphitheater (2700 Joslyn Court)
- Auburn Hills DPW (1500 Brown Road)
Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said he doesn't want residents to panic because contingencies are in place.
"There's a lot of set up we're doing in preparation for the worst case scenario."
Barnett said the situation is stable but does want residents to stay alert and prepared.
"We've had lots of people asking us questions, should we stop using water now, no, use water as you normally would, don't use more."
Barnett added that the township declared a state of emergency as a precaution, but if a full break happens, it would help the township access critical county and state resources.
"We have everything lined up to provide them drinking water should that happen, but toilets won't flush. Businesses will be closed," Barnett said. "Our most vulnerable population will need to be moved from the nursing facilities that they're in now and assisted living facilities to communities that do have water."
Residents can sign up for alerts from CivicPlus by texting "ORION MI" to 38276 or visiting OrionTownship.org to stay informed. You can also search for your address and find updates on repairs as they happen at this link.
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