DETROIT – Crews continue to make repairs to homes after a water main break flooded a Southwest Detroit neighborhood last month.
The 54-inch water main built in the 1930s burst early on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, displacing hundreds of residents.
Crews have been working to get those residents back into their homes, and by the end of Thursday, March 6, 2025, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown said crews are expected to have replaced more than 40 furnaces and hot water tanks, with about 30 more still to replace.
About 10 are replaced each day on average, so by early next week, all known issues with furnaces and hot water tanks are expected to be taken care of, according to Brown.
Brown also said there are about 186 residents in hotels still, and 12 residents returned to their homes on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
The city hired 10 contractors that have multiple crews in the neighborhood that are working on cleaning, installations and repairs.
Last week, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the city is using the following six-step process to address each home:
- Inspection
- Remove debris from basements
- Sanitize and clean the homes
- Replace furnaces and water heaters
- Bring the family through the home for a final inspection
- Move the family from the hotel back into the house
Brown also said a third-party administrator would be at the Patton Recreation Center on Friday, March 7, 2025, to address the community about the claims process.
The city said that about 171 claims have been filed, and 89 of those are for vehicles.
“We know that people need those vehicles to get to work, and so we’re going to fast-track the vehicles,” Brown said.
If you still need help or information on filing a claim, call the DWSD at 313-774-5261.
You can watch the full press conference in the video below:
Crews finished repairs on a 54-inch transmission main that burst at Beard and Rowan streets, Great Lakes Water Authority officials said in a release on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Now that repairs are complete, GLWA’s engineering and operations teams are evaluating the main to determine the next steps to prepare it for service.
In addition, the Detroit Water and Sewage Department (GLWA), completed repairs on its six-inch water main that was damaged during the original main break.
Required water quality testing will be done by the end of the week, according to GLWA.
GLWA and DWSD crews have also finished removing debris from the sewers in the neighborhood impacted by the break.
DTE Energy is expected to complete repairs on its damaged gas line next week.
