Detroit water main break repaired

Detroit — A massive water main break was repaired Thursday evening but a dozen homes and businesses will remain without water as crews work to refill the pipe, chlorinate and test the water for safety, according to city officials.

Eleven households and one business are directly affected by the transmission main break, which occurred around 10 p.m. Wednesday on Buchanan Street between West Grand Boulevard and 23rd Street, said Detroit Water and Sewerage Department spokesman Gary Brown.

Officials initially thought about 40 homes would be affected.

Officials plan to continue delivering bottled water to the affected buildings. Crews started delivering water bottles at noon Thursday, according to a city news release.

The fix was completed through a joint effort by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and Great Lakes Water Authority, according to Brown. The Great Lakes Water Authority was involved due to the large size of the busted pipe.

Thursday evening, city officials posted an online update about the ongoing repair.

“GLWA and DWSD crews turned off water to the affected area, salted the streets, and diverted the water that was flooding the streets and viaduct into a sewer pipe,” officials said. “A crew is excavating underneath Buchanan Street to gain access to the 30-inch transmission line to make repairs. A portable light has been delivered to the site for the repair crew to continue their work through the evening.”

Great Lakes Water Authority spokeswoman Curtrise Garner on Thursday said the prolonged repair time was necessary to make a lasting fix.

“We’re going to do it right the first time,” she said.

Regular updates on the repair will be available to the public, officials said.

HFournier@detroitnews.com

(313) 223-4616

@HollyPFournier

Staff Writer Mark Hicks contributed.