Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) Director Gary Brown provided an update Wednesday on recovery efforts from the water main break that flooded a Southwest Detroit neighborhood on Monday.
During a press conference on Feb. 19, 2025, Brown said 50 houses impacted by the water main break are under a boil water advisory as a precaution while crews restore the water main. He said the city is still testing the water for potential bacteria.
As of Tuesday night, 133 households stayed in hotels.
Four houses remain out of service, but Brown said the city provided the residents with bottled water.
Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) plans to cut out two feet of the water main that broke, and they are waiting for the new piece of pipe to begin the repairs.
Out of the 400 homes in the neighborhood, at least 100 had water in the basement.
Recovery efforts, according to Brown, will take about six weeks before residents can return to their homes.
Brown was asked how many cars were impacted by the flooding. He said it’s unclear at this time, as crews continue to chip the cars that are still frozen to the road.
Background
The 54-inch water main broke on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at around 2 a.m. and affected residents from Lafayette to Waterman streets in Detroit.
The icy incident took 11 different agencies, including firefighters, police, emergency responders, and dive teams from across Metro Detroit, who were on the scene for most of Monday from across Metro Detroit to help ferry homeowners to safety, away from the bone-chilling water.
It took boats and construction trucks to rescue entire families, including 54 adults and 22 children, who were carried to safety after the massive water main break in the area of Beard and Rowan streets.
A team of 80 city employees and community volunteers went door to door to check on families impacted by this water main break and help bring them out if needed.
Everyone who was affected by the Southwest Detroit water main break can call 313-774-5261 for assistance with evacuations, repairs, and vehicle issues.
--> What Detroit officials will provide residents impacted by water main break
DWSD Director Gary Brown and his team will lead the recovery effort. The agency and the Great Lakes Water Authority agreed to split the cost of damages not already covered by homeowners insurance, so residents won’t have to worry.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department system comprises more than 2,700 miles of water mains.
Over the last six years, the city has committed $100 million annually to address aging infrastructure and maintain its water and sewer systems.
