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Rochester Hills reports major GLWA transmission main break, northwest area under boil-water advisory
Summary
City officials said a 40–42-inch Great Lakes Water Authority transmission main broke in early May, triggering a boil-water advisory for the northwest corner of Rochester Hills; crews installed a welded replacement, rerouted supply and set up water distribution while sampling requirements remain before the advisory can be lifted.
Rochester Hills officials on May 11 told the City Council a break in a 40–42-inch Great Lakes Water Authority transmission main has left the city operating under a boil-water advisory for its northwest neighborhoods while crews complete repairs and required water sampling.
Director Balent and communications lead Nathan Mueller said the leak began May 6 and the break occurred in the early hours of the weekend before the meeting. Great Lakes Water Authority crews removed the damaged pipe, installed a welded replacement and began filling and testing the new section; the city also modified a booster station to stabilize pressures in affected areas, reporting roughly 40–45 PSI at key locations where pressures typically run higher.
The city routed supply from alternate mains to maintain service where possible, but officials cautioned that pressures remain volatile and the boil-water advisory and voluntary water-use restrictions will stay in effect until sampling confirms system safety. "Boil-water advisory and the water restrictions will remain in effect indefinitely," Balent said, and staff are coordinating sample locations and timing with GLWA so all affected communities sample simultaneously before any lifting of the advisory.
Councilmembers asked whether the pipe’s age or ground conditions contributed to the failure and whether hydrants remain usable. Balent said transmission mains have long life expectancies but can fail due to ground conditions and pressure changes; the fire department has been told not to rely on hydrants in the advisory area because of low pressure. Officials did not provide an exact volume of water lost.
City staff also thanked the Department of Public Services crew, fire personnel and Oakland CountySheriff’s Office for supporting distribution operations. The city established a water distribution site at the Vonmar location (Village of Rochester Hills) and urged residents in the affected area to use rochesterhills.org and RH Connect for up-to-date information. Aaron Sedrovich, the mayor’s chief of staff, reported the city delivered supplies to residents the day before the meeting and planned daily briefings until the system is fully restored.
Why it matters: A transmission main failure of this scale disrupted supply across municipal boundaries and requires coordinated sampling and testing before normal service can resume. Residents in the northwest advisory area should follow boil-water instructions and use distribution sites while the city and GLWA complete testing and flushing.
The city did not give a firm date for full restoration. Officials said they are meeting daily with GLWA and partner communities and will post updates on rochesterhills.org and social channels.
