WATER UPDATE: BOIL WATER ADVISORY LIFTED

Effective 10 a.m. Aug. 20, the Great Lakes Authority lifted its boil water advisory for Shelby Township and nearly all the communities effected by the Aug. 13 break in the 120-inch transmission main.

While the GLWA assures the township the current water supply is adequate to meet all essential needs, Shelby Township maintains its ban on outdoor irrigation and other nonessential outdoor water use to minimize impact during the repair to the damaged transmission main.

GLWA estimates the repairs will run until Sept. 3. The delay is needed to fabricate an additional 48 feet of pipe needed to fix the damage. GLWA crews are preparing to remove the damaged portions of the 120-inch transmission main by crane this Saturday, Aug. 20, before GLWA receives the additional 48 feet of pipe on Aug. 23.

Since Aug. 15, Shelby Township crews have distributed thousands of units of 1-gallon jugs and 24-pack cases of water to residents as the township is one of seven communities under a boil water advisory from GLWA. While pressures have been stable to meet all essential water uses, Shelby Township instituted an outdoor water use ban on activities such as lawn irrigation to maintain those pressures.

Despite the lift of the boil water advisory, the township's emergency water distribution centers will reopen at 10 a.m. on Aug. 20. The centers will be open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, or until the current supply of emergency water runs out. Because the supply is limited, Shelby Township asks only residents that cannot sanitize their water by boiling to participate in the distribution program.

Residents living in the 48315 zip code can pick up water 10 a.m.-7 p.m., or while supplies last, at Whispering Woods Park at 11000 21 Mile Road. Residents living in the 48316 zip code can pick up water 10 a.m.-7 p.m., or while supplies last, at Ford Field Central Park at 7460 23 Mile Road. Residents living in the 48317 zip code can pick up water 10 a.m.-7 p.m., or while supplies last, at River Bends Park (Ryan Road) at 4101 River Bends Drive.

In addition to the distribution centers, Shelby Township continues to distribute water to seniors enrolled in the Meals on Wheels program and SMART transportation services. Seniors not enrolled in Meals on Wheels or SMART who cannot make it to a distribution site and cannot sanitize water by boiling can contact the Shelby Township Senior Center at seniors@shelbytwp.org for assistance.

Visit glwater.org or shelbytwp.org for updates.