Boil Water Alert Remains in Effect in Shelby Township After Water Main Break

A boil water alert remains in effect for Shelby Township, Rochester and Lenox Township after a water main ruptured on 24 Mile Road Tuesday. 

Police have closed off 24 Mile Road from Jewell to Schoenherr roads in Shelby Township while the Detroit Water Department works to get a cap on the massive break, which has caused flooding on the roadway and to the surrounding area. 

Water started gushing from the broken 36-inch Detroit water main before noon. However, Shelby Township officials said the Detroit Water Department was going to be turning down the pressure.

Shelby Township Fire Chief James Swinkowski told Patch residents in the area will not be without water, but they will experience very low water pressure.

"With that main being broken, we are reduced by a third from the amount of water we get from Detroit. This is one of the main feeder systems we have in Shelby," he said. 

There is no word on why the water main ruptured. Swinkowski said 24 Mile Road would remain closed for at least a few more days because the water main break has torn up the road, where the break occurred, in front of Mandel Greenhouses and Florist, and water damage has caused severe soil erosion.

"Even though you can see the concrete it may not be safe to walk on it," said Swinkowski.

Residents who live on 24 Mile Road between Jewell and Schoenherr are being allowed to enter and exit. However, Swinkowski told Patch there are about 25 homes in a subdivision that are basically trapped by the water.

What you need to know:

• Boil water alert remains in effect – Any use of water for human consumption should be boiled for a minimum of five minutes and allowed to cool prior to use. All non-essential use of water should be discontinued immediately.

• Avoid 24 Mile Road between Schoenherr and Jewell roads until further notice.

• Children are not to play in the water on the street.

• Children are asked to stay away from sewer drains that may be backed up.