Orion Township Declares State of Emergency as Precaution Amid Water Main Leak
Crews are working to reroute water as officials warn some residents could be without service for at least 14 days.
- On Sunday, May 10, a massive 42-inch water main broke in River Woods Park, Auburn Hills, forcing Orion Township to declare a state of emergency as residents face a potential 14-day water outage.
- Great Lakes Water Authority crews discovered the leak on Wednesday, May 6, but the main failed before emergency rerouting efforts could be completed, causing significant water pressure loss.
- Restricting water use to 'essential' tasks is required, while GLWA deployed three emergency supply trucks to Orion Township, Auburn Hills, and Lake Orion to support affected residents.
- Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett stressed he "will be demanding every resource available" to support the community, noting that vulnerable populations in nursing facilities may require relocation.
- An "incredible challenge," GLWA Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Coffey said, the repair lacks a firm completion estimate, though officials expect to share a finalized timeline early next week.
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Oakland County Residents Brace for Weeks-Long Water Outage After Water Main Break
Photo: Courtesy of the Great Lakes Water Authority May 11, 2026 ~ Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett joins Ryan Ermanni to discuss the latest following a state of emergency being declared after a water main break in the township.OAKLAND COUNTY ~ Much of Oakland County is under a state of emergency after a 42-inch water main broke on Sunday morning, leaving many homes and businesses without water. The emergency order, placed by Gov.…
Detroit Free Press
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The GLWA is asking Orion Township, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills and a northern section of Auburn Hills to only use water for 'essential' reasons.
Major Metro Detroit water main break could leave some residents without water for days
ORION TWP, MI - A major water main break in Oakland County on Sunday triggered emergency measures across multiple communities, with officials urging residents to drastically limit water use as repairs to a damaged Great Lakes Water Authority transmission line could take days.
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