HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Boil water advisories are issued from time to time. In Highland Park, the notices are being issued frequently in recent weeks after a nearly 11-year stretch of no advisories.
On Saturday night, it issued yet another alert citing concerns of low water pressure, which could allow contamination to enter the water supply, officials said. Some residents quickly recognized something was amiss.
“Last night, it was running slow,” Glend Mitchell said. “My husband said, ‘Well, must be something going on with the water.‘”
In a recent letter, the director of the Highland Park Water Department explained that the city’s water infrastructure is over 115 years old and is under more stress than ever, especially in recent decades.
Two ongoing major water main projects are addressing these issues, but recent water main breaks are also adding pressure to an already fragile system.
Sandra Sanders, another resident, expressed her frustration. She told Local 4 she uses bottled water for nearly everything except laundry and flushing the toilet.
“I pay my water bill -- and I can’t even use it,” Sanders said. “My water bill runs me about $130 a month, and I can’t even drink it.”
The water department anticipates that all water mains in the city will be replaced within the next five to seven years, which it hopes will alleviate some of the financial burden on customers.
Residents are advised to follow these guidelines during the boil water advisory:
- Do not drink tap water without boiling it first.
- Boil water for one minute, then let it cool before using.
- Use bottled water instead for drinking, preparing baby formula, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food.
Boiling kills bacteria and other harmful organisms. Residents should continue using boiled or bottled water until further notice. If using a lead-reducing filter, filter the water before boiling and replace the filter cartridge after the advisory is lifted.
The Highland Park Water Department is working to restore water pressure to normal levels. Once levels return to normal, water quality samples will be taken per EGLE standards before the boil water advisory is lifted.
For regular updates, residents can visit the Highland Park Water Department’s website at highlandparkmi.gov/services/water or call the customer service line at 313-865-1876.
The Highland Park Water Department serves approximately 8,500 residents daily through a network of 60 miles of water main and collects wastewater through 120 miles of sewer main. The department is dedicated to transparency and community engagement, striving to provide reliable water services to meet the community’s needs.
---> Drinking? Showering? What to do during a boil water advisory
