Novi Water Main Rupture Prompts Boil Advisories

A large transmission main on 14 Mile Road near M‑5 in Novi ruptured Thursday, prompting around‑the‑clock repairs by the Great Lakes Water Authority and city crews who isolated the break and began restoring service by Friday. Parts of 14 Mile remain closed to through traffic and officials warned pressure may continue to fluctuate as they work on alternate delivery methods and investigate the cause. A boil‑water advisory was lifted for Walled Lake after testing and flushing guidance, but advisories remain in effect for much of Novi, Wixom and surrounding areas until consecutive clean water samples clear the system. Residents were instructed to boil water for at least one minute or use bottled water for drinking and food preparation, flush household lines and ice makers, and limit outdoor water use until final repairs are complete. The outage forced school closures the first day though classes resumed as pressure returned, and restaurants and businesses used bottled water and extra sanitation steps to continue serving customers. Separate precautionary boil advisories were also issued over the weekend after pressure losses or pump problems in Andrews, S.C.; Maumelle, Ark.; and the Berry Hollow area of Pennsylvania, and officials say they will lift notices only after laboratory confirmation that water is safe.