Oakland County Communities Face Extended Water Emergency Following Major Main Break

Alison Rankin | May 19, 2026

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Residents across several Oakland County communities are navigating a significant public health emergency following the rupture of a 42-inch water transmission main in Auburn Hills. The break, which occurred at River Woods Park during the early morning hours of May 10, 2026, prompted Governor Gretchen Whitmer to declare a State of Emergency, alongside localized emergency declarations in Auburn Hills and Orion Township.

The Great Lakes Water Authority reported that the transmission line, originally installed in 1975, failed despite ongoing efforts to manage a leak that had been detected days earlier.

Repair crews reached a major milestone on May 12 when a replacement pipe segment was successfully lowered into the excavation site and installed. However, officials warned that the process toward full restoration remains extensive. Crews must still secure the new section, conduct pressure testing, and complete laboratory analysis of water samples to ensure the system is safe for public use.

Due to the scale of the damaged transmission line, technical experts advised residents and businesses in the hardest-hit areas—including Orion Township, the Village of Lake Orion, and northern Auburn Hills, to prepare for possible water service disruptions or restrictions lasting at least 14 days.

In the meantime, a mandatory boil water advisory remains in effect for large portions of the region, specifically in areas north of Cross Creek Parkway and University Drive in Auburn Hills, along with several neighboring jurisdictions.

Public safety officials have established multiple water distribution sites where residents can obtain bottled water, while businesses and schools within the affected zone have temporarily suspended in-person operations. Local leaders continue to urge strict water conservation measures, emphasizing that remaining reservoir levels must be preserved for sanitation needs and emergency fire protection services until the regional water system is fully stabilized.

Sources: Great Lakes Water Authority, Auburn Hills Emergency Management Division, Orion Township Emergency Management, Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.