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Water Main Break Causes School Closures in Novi

Repair work on a water main in Novi, Michigan

Novi, Michigan, September 27, 2025

News Summary

A significant water main break on 14 Mile Road in Novi has led to widespread school closures and disruptions in the community. Schools, including Novi High School, have canceled classes due to loss of water pressure affecting restroom facilities. While water pressure has been restored, a boil water advisory remains in effect, requiring students and residents to conserve water. The city is providing resources for residents, including non-drinkable water for flushing toilets. Community events, such as homecoming, are also impacted, highlighting the emergency’s far-reaching effects.

Novi, Michigan

A major water main break on 14 Mile Road, west of M-5, has significantly impacted Novi and its surrounding community. The break occurred on September 25, 2025, triggering widespread school closures and leaving many residents without basic water services. The Novi Community School District canceled classes at the high school and several other schools within the area due to the loss of water pressure, which compromised restroom facilities and sanitary conditions.

Superintendent Ben Mainka announced that schools will reopen on Friday following the restoration of water pressure. However, a boil water advisory is still in effect, restricting students from using drinking fountains or bottle fillers. Schools will ensure that water is available on hand at each building for student use.

The community faced chaos and uncertainty regarding weekend homecoming events, which include a parade, a game, and a dance. These events depend on timely repairs to the water main. Parents expressed their concerns about the disruptions caused by the water emergency, with some hosting seniors from other families affected by the outage. The break also affected other schools, including Detroit Catholic Central, Meadowbrook Elementary, and Walled Lake Elementary, leading to a broad impact across the educational landscape.

The city’s Department of Public Works is actively providing non-drinkable water to residents for flushing toilets through a drive-through service, as many residents reported struggles with long lines at ITC Community Sports Park for clean water collection. The Great Lakes Water Authority has been diligently working on repairs and expects to restore water service to the affected communities by Friday morning.

While repairs have enabled water pressure restoration, the boil water advisory is expected to remain in place until at least Sunday, subject to results from subsequent water quality testing. Additionally, an outdoor water use restriction has been implemented, urging residents to conserve water to ease the stress on the system.

The stability of the city’s water system has been affirmed, and residents are advised to store water as a backup supply. The ongoing work on the 42-inch transmission line is anticipated to take several weeks to complete. A timeline for lifting the boil water advisory remains uncertain, contingent upon the outcomes of water quality tests.

Impact Summary

  • Location: Novi, Michigan
  • Date of Incident: September 25, 2025
  • Schools Closed: Novi High School and several others
  • Current Status: Schools reopening with a boil water advisory
  • Water Service: Restored but under advisory until testing allows lifting
  • Emergency Resources: Non-drinkable water for residents, water available at school buildings
  • Expected Repair Duration: Several weeks for full repairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the school closures in Novi?

The water main break on 14 Mile Road led to the loss of water pressure, affecting restroom facilities and sanitary conditions in the schools.

When will the schools in Novi reopen?

Schools are set to reopen on Friday after water pressure has been restored.

Is the boil water advisory still in effect?

Yes, a boil water advisory remains in effect while water quality testing is conducted.

How will students have access to water at school?

Schools will have water available on hand at each building for student use.

What resources are available for residents?

The city’s Department of Public Works is providing non-drinkable water for flushing toilets through a drive-through service, and residents can collect clean water at ITC Community Sports Park.

How long will the boil water advisory be in place?

The boil water advisory is expected to remain until at least Sunday, based on water quality testing results.

Key Features

Feature Details
Incident Water main break on 14 Mile Road, west of M-5
Date September 25, 2025
Schools Closed Novi High School, Detroit Catholic Central, Meadowbrook Elementary, Walled Lake Elementary
Schedule Classes to resume on Friday
Boil Water Advisory In effect until at least Sunday, pending water testing
Community Resources Non-drinkable water drive-through service, clean water collection site
Repair Timeline Full repairs expected to take several weeks

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Additional Resources

STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER

The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.

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