GLWA expects it could take two weeks to make repairs
TRI-CITY AREA — The City of Imlay City and the Village of Almont remain under a boil water advisory due to Saturday’s (Aug. 13) Great Lakes Water Authority water main break about one mile west of GLWA’s Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility.
Crews isolated the break to a 120-inch water transmission main that provides treated water to more than 935,000 residents in 23 communities.
On Sunday, Aug. 14, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a State of Emergency due to the incident.
Lapeer County Emergency Manager Jeffrey Satkowki reported Monday that the boil water advisory will remain in effect for two weeks while repairs and decontamination of the water system are completed.
Satkowski said GLWA estimates are that it will take about one week to repair the break and restore the flow; and another week to decontaminate the system.
“Once the repair is done and the water is clean and safe, GLWA will announce that the boil water advisory can be lifted,” Satkoski said.
Bottled water option
In the interim, the Michigan State Lapeer County Emergency Management submitted a resource request to the state for bottled water to distribute to affected citizens.
“When the bottled water arrives in the County, it will be turned over to local officials in Imlay City and Almont Village for staging when or if it becomes necessary to distribute. The first allotment of water will be brought to Lapeer County today,” Satkowski said on Monday morning.
He added that Nixle alerts have been and will be sent to the affected zip codes when appropriate.
In Imlay City
On Monday, Imlay City DPW Supt. Ed Priehs encouraged residents to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing food.
He added that the city is considering introducing chlorine into the city’s water system as an added safety measure.
“We’re going to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our residents.”
Meanwhile, Priehs is asking residents to use as little water as is necessary until repairs are completed and the water is tested and deemed safe for public consumption.
“Because we may experience low water pressure, we are asking residents to avoid using water for lawn sprinkling, car washing or any other unnecessary use.”
Latest update
As of 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, GLWA officials reported that a new replacement pipe had arrived from Texas, and that work is ongoing at the site to prepare it for installation and decontamination.
Lapeer water safe
While Imlay City and Almont remains under the boil water advisory, the City of Lapeer continues to operate on its own backup connections and is still able to properly treat water for residential and business useage.
As such, there is no boil water advisory for the City of Lapeer.
