Major Water Main Break Disrupts Oakland County, West Austin, Windham Traffic

A 42‑inch transmission water main ruptured on 14 Mile Road in southern Oakland County, causing widespread pressure loss, service disruptions and a boil-water advisory that affected homes, schools and businesses in Novi, Walled Lake and Wixom. Local restaurants including El Mariachi and Riki Sushi were forced to close or operate on limited menus using bottled water and reported significant revenue losses. The Great Lakes Water Authority had not provided a cause or timeline for full restoration as crews worked to repair the break. In Austin, crews responded to a water-main break in the 3400 block of Hancock Drive near Perry Neighborhood Park; as of reports there was no impact to customer water service, but a full road closure at Balcones Drive and Hancock Drive was in place while crews assessed and prepared repairs. In Windham, Maine, a separate break shut parts of Main Street between River Road and Newhall Road, reducing traffic to one lane for about seven to eight hours while the Portland Water District completed repairs and officials anticipated reopening by Friday evening. Together the incidents highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities that have short-term impacts on traffic, businesses and residents as utilities work to restore safe service.