Barnett declares emergency as Water Main Break Oakland County grows

A water main break oakland county officials traced to Auburn Hills prompted Orion Township to declare a state of emergency on Thursday. Chris Barnett said the township took that step as a precaution while crews worked to prevent a full break that could leave homes and businesses without water.

The leak involves a 42-inch water main, and officials said it has gotten progressively worse over the last few days. Barnett said a full break could shut off water for 2 days to potentially 2 weeks, and he said toilets would not flush and businesses would be closed.

Barnett on Orion Township

Barnett said the township moved early because a break would draw in county and state resources. “There's a lot of set up we're doing in preparation for the worst case scenario,” he said after a Sunday press conference in Orion Township.

He also told residents not to overreact before the line fails. “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 said.

Great Lakes Water Authority crews are working around the clock at the Auburn Hills site to prevent that outcome. The authority said residents of Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, and Auburn Hills should limit water use to hydration, food preparation and basic sanitation for the duration of the emergency.

Lake Orion Community Schools

All Lake Orion Community Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday because of the leak. Barnett said vulnerable residents in nursing facilities and assisted living facilities would need to be moved to communities that do have water if the main breaks, and he said the township has arrangements for drinking water in that case.

“We have everything lined up to provide them drinking water should that happen, but toilets won't flush. Businesses will be closed,” Barnett said. Residents can sign up for alerts by texting ORION MI to 38276 or visiting OrionTownship.org.