Novi, Michigan, October 9, 2025
News Summary
A significant water main break in Novi, Michigan, has left thousands without water and affected local businesses and schools. The break caused a loss of water pressure and led to a boil water advisory for several surrounding communities. Repair efforts by the Great Lakes Water Authority are ongoing, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.
Novi, Michigan – On Thursday morning, September 25, 2025, a significant water main break occurred in Novi, affecting thousands of residents and businesses. The rupture, which took place at 7:20 a.m., was identified in a 42-inch transmission line owned by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) on 14 Mile Road west of M-5. As a result, the disruption led to a considerable loss of water pressure, impacting Novi and surrounding communities.
The water main break caused total water outages for many residents and businesses in the area. Others were subjected to a boil water advisory due to the risk of potential contamination. This advisory extended to nearby cities, including Walled Lake, Wixom, and parts of Commerce Township. Essential public services were also affected, with schools such as the Novi Community School District and St. Catherine of Siena Academy forced to close for the day due to the loss of water. Additionally, local businesses like Big Dip Burgers and Ford’s Garage had to halt operations, significantly impacting their sales and services.
Despite ongoing repair efforts from the GLWA, pressure loss continued to be a problem, prompting the reissuance of the boil water advisory on several occasions. By September 30, 2025, city officials and the Great Lakes Water Authority announced that the boil water advisory had been lifted, although they urged residents to conserve water until the system was fully stabilized.
The GLWA crews worked tirelessly throughout the week to repair the damaged main and work on restoring water pressure in the affected neighborhoods. The incident underlined the critical need for proactive leak management and innovative solutions to water infrastructure challenges, suggesting that advanced leak detection technologies, such as OldCastle Infrastructure’s CivilSense, could play an essential role in preventing future incidents.
During the outage, residents were advised to boil tap water for at least one minute and to rely on bottled water for drinking and food preparation until the advisory was fully lifted. To assist those impacted, bottled water and non-drinkable water for toilet flushing were made available at designated locations across the city.
As this incident highlights, the aging infrastructure of water systems in the U.S. poses significant challenges, emphasizing the need for nationwide efforts to address these vulnerabilities and implement effective, forward-thinking solutions.
FAQ
What caused the water main break in Novi, Michigan?
The break was identified as a rupture in a 42-inch transmission line owned by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), located on 14 Mile Road west of M-5.
Which areas were affected by the boil water advisory?
Nearby cities affected by the boil water advisory include Walled Lake, Wixom, and parts of Commerce Township.
How long did the boil water advisory last?
As of September 30, GLWA and city officials lifted the boil water advisory but advised residents to conserve water until normal operations were fully restored.
What steps were taken to assist residents during the outage?
Residents were directed to boil tap water for at least one minute and use bottled water for drinking and food preparation until the advisory was fully lifted. Bottled water and non-drinkable water for toilet flushing were made available to residents at designated locations during the outage.
What does the water main break highlight about water systems in the U.S.?
The water main break and subsequent issues highlighted the aging infrastructure of water systems in the U.S. that require urgent and innovative solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Click On Detroit: Oakland County Water Conservation Advisory
- Wikipedia: Water Infrastructure
- WXYZ: Novi Water Main Break Impact
- Google Search: Novi water main break
- CBS News: Novi Water Pressure Loss
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Supply
- Fox 2 Detroit: Low Water Pressure in Novi
- Google Scholar: Water Main Break Novi
- Audacy: Water Main Break in Novi
- Google News: Novi water infrastructure
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.
