Detroit Health Department Frequently Asked Questions in Response to Detroit Water & Sewage Boil Water Advisory
What should I do?
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
What if I drink the water during the boil water advisory?
Boiling the water is a precautionary measure that can protect against possible illness. People who drink the water without first boiling it, are at risk for contracting a gastrointestinal illness because of the possibility of the water being infiltrated by bacteria due to the low pressure level. A person may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People should seek medical attention if they experience any of those symptoms.
What happened? What is being done?
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) provided an update on the 42-inch water main break near McDougall and Larned which occurred Saturday night (January 12) causing the issuance of a boil water advisory early Sunday morning (January 13). Crews are working through Sunday evening into Monday (January 14) to replace a 10-15 foot section of the water main.
Water customers across Detroit may have experienced low pressure Saturday night and Sunday morning but not to the level necessary to issue an advisory citywide. The area of the boil water advisory, however, had significantly low water pressure, well below the threshold of 20 psi which is the minimum level for water quality pressure. The GLWA and DWSD engineers are evaluating customer data as it continues to be compiled and will provide an update Monday.
Early Sunday morning, DWSD issued the boil water advisory for residents and businesses served by the 42-inch water main. The boundaries are I-75 Fisher Freeway south to the Detroit River and the M-10 Lodge Freeway Service Drive east to Mt. Elliott. Detroit water users in the advisory area, are urged to boil water before drinking or cooking, including brushing teeth. It is recommended that you boil for two consecutive minutes, then cool before drinking. Residents and businesses outside of the boundaries may use water normally.
The boil water advisory remains as a precautionary measure. After the water main repair is completed, the GLWA will conduct two rounds of water quality testing, required by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, prior to recommending the advisory be lifted.
Approximately 3,500 miles of water main exist within the city of Detroit, 800 of which are large transmission mains maintained by GLWA.
Detroit water customers who experience low pressure or other service issues, are encouraged to call DWSD at 313-267-8000.
New map images are below, including three versions for social media.
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