Which areas are under a boil water advisory?

The boil water advisory was issued for Wixom, Commerce Township, and Walled Lake due to the loss of water pressure.

Why were schools closed?

Classes were canceled in the Novi Community School District because the lack of water service made it impossible to operate restrooms and maintain hygiene.

How long will repairs take?

The estimate for completing repairs could range from one week to 10-15 days, depending on unforeseen issues.

September 30, 2025

Major Water Main Break Disrupts Novi and Surrounding Areas

Novi, Michigan, September 30, 2025

News Summary

A significant water main break on 14 Mile Road in Novi, Michigan, has led to severe disruptions, including a boil water alert for neighboring cities. The break in a 42-inch transmission main owned by the Great Lakes Water Authority caused widespread lack of water pressure, forcing the cancellation of classes in the Novi Community School District and the closure of local businesses. Repairs to the main are expected to take up to 10-15 days, while residents are urged to boil water before use due to safety concerns.

Novi, Michigan experienced significant disruptions on Thursday morning due to a major water main break on 14 Mile Road west of M-5. The break involved a rupture in a 42-inch transmission main owned by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), leading to a lack of water pressure not only in Novi but also in neighboring municipalities.

As a direct consequence of the break, a boil water alert was issued for the nearby cities of Wixom, Commerce Township, and Walled Lake. Residents in these areas were advised to boil their water for at least one minute before consumption and to limit non-essential water use due to concerns over potential bacterial contamination resulting from the drop in pressure.

The lack of water service prompted the Novi Community School District to cancel classes for the day, as the inability to operate restrooms effectively compromised hygiene and safety for students and staff. Closure also affected local businesses such as Ford’s Garage and Big Dip Burgers, which were forced to shut down due to the water outage. City Hall and the Novi Public Library also closed because essential services could not be maintained without water.

City officials quickly mobilized to address the rupture, beginning repairs on the water main. They anticipated the restoration of service would take several hours, though fully resolving the situation might require up to one week to 10-15 days, depending on unforeseen complications. As of Monday, the boil water advisory remains in effect for affected areas as repairs continue, compounded by high demand for water usage during peak times.

Residents in the region continue to express worries regarding the lack of water as they navigate daily activities. Local officials are conducting water testing to ensure public safety, with negative results required twice, 24 hours apart, before the boil advisory can be lifted.

City officials have called for residents to curb activities such as watering lawns and using irrigation systems to conserve the limited water supply available and reduce pressure on the system, further highlighting the challenges posed by the incident.

Key Details of the Incident

Location: 14 Mile Road west of M-5, Novi, Michigan
Cause: Rupture in a 42-inch transmission main
Affected Areas: Novi, Wixom, Commerce Township, Walled Lake
Status: Boil water advisory in effect for affected areas
School Closures: Classes canceled in Novi Community School District
Business Impact: Local businesses forced to close due to water outage
Estimated Repair Time: 1 week to 10-15 days

FAQs

What caused the water main break?: A rupture in a 42-inch transmission main owned by the Great Lakes Water Authority caused the water main break.
Which areas are under a boil water advisory?: The boil water advisory was issued for Wixom, Commerce Township, and Walled Lake due to the loss of water pressure.
Why were schools closed?: Classes were canceled in the Novi Community School District because the lack of water service made it impossible to operate restrooms and maintain hygiene.
What should residents do with their water?: Residents were advised to boil water for at least one minute before consumption and to limit non-essential water use.
How long will repairs take?: The estimate for completing repairs could range from one week to 10-15 days, depending on unforeseen issues.

Chart of Key Features

Feature	Details
Water Main Break Location	14 Mile Road west of M-5, Novi, Michigan
Cause of the Break	Rupture in a 42-inch transmission main
Affected Areas	Novi, Wixom, Commerce Township, Walled Lake
Status of Repairs	Estimate of 1 week to 10-15 days
Impact on Schools	No classes in Novi Community School District
Boil Water Advisory	In effect for affected areas