Novi, Walled Lake under boil water advisory. Here’s when it may end

This story was updated to correct the communities impacted by the boil water advisory.

NOVI — Residents in Novi and Walled Lake have water again, but a boil water advisory will remain in effect until at least “mid-week,” officials said.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., Saturday, March 7, a break in the 48-inch water transmission main on 14 Mile Road at Verona, between Drake and Farmington Roads in Farmington Hills, disrupted the water supply to Novi and Walled Lake and also affected Wixom, Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield and Commerce townships.

Novi Communications Director Sheryl Walsh-Molloy said she was informed the boil water advisory, which is also affecting Walled Lake, would continue until mid-week, as two rounds of water testing with clear samples are required about 24 hours apart.

The Greater Lakes Water Authority will collect the first round of samplings on Monday, March 9, with the second set for Tuesday, March 10.

“We’re crossing our fingers,” Walsh-Molloy said. “All the samples throughout the city, collected from Walled Lake and Novi, have to come back negative. Then hypothetically, they will collect the second round tomorrow, and then maybe midweek (the boil water advisory will end).”

The water authority said in a seventh update posted to its website at 11:45 a.m. March 9 that water pressure in Novi and Walled Lake had returned to “near normal levels” and a new steel main section had been installed, replacing a 20-foot section of damaged main.

An additional 20-foot section distressed main located 80-feet west of the current break was also identified and will also be replaced this week, GLWA said, but was not expected to affect the mid-week target of lifting the boil water advisory.

Under a boil water advisory, residents are instructed to not drink water without boiling it for one minute first, and then allowing it to cool. Alternately, bottled water is suggested.

On the city’s website, using boiled or bottled water is advised for “drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.”

A water use restriction remains in place, with city officials requesting that residents defer laundry for the time being and shorten showers to help reduce water demand.

Residents are also advised to “fill bathtubs or other containers with water as a backup supply in case service is interrupted again.”

Walsh-Molloy said the city has dealt with at least six water main breaks in the past nine years, including a 2017 water main break also at 14 Mile and Verona in Farmington Hills. Novi is one of the most western communities in the water distribution route, so a break to the east disrupts water.

The most recent water main break affecting Novi was less than six months ago, when a break in a 42-inch transmission main line on 14 Mile Road, just west of M-5 cut off water pressure to the city’s 67,000 residents.

The water authority, the provider of drinking water services to 40% of Michigan’s population, was expected to address the Novi City Council March 9.

Walsh-Molloy expressed her gratitude to the city’s residents for their continued support, patience and interest in being educated about their water delivery.

“We all recognize there is an issue with aging GLWA infrastructure,” she said. “Residents’ questions and concerns don’t fall on deaf ears. City council will take action. I think they will lobby state, federal, and county officials for funding for GLWA to get this fixed.”

Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com.