Overview:
- A utility contractor struck a 36-inch water transmission main on 24 Mile Road in Chesterfield Township Tuesday afternoon.
- New Haven residents and portions of Lenox Township are under boil water advisories while repairs continue, potentially through next week.
- New Haven Community Schools closed Wednesday due to non-functioning toilets, sinks, and water fountains.
By MITCH HOTTS
The Macomb Daily
A water main leak has prompted a boil water advisory in the northern Macomb County village of New Haven and also closed schools Wednesday.
The leak was reported by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), which has an emergency contractor on hand to resolve the issue. It was discovered Tuesday afternoon on a 36-inch water transmission main in Chesterfield Township, according to authority officials.
GLWA, which serves as the water authority for Southeast Michigan, including Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, says the leak was detected on 24 Mile Road, just west of Gratiot Avenue.
“The leak was created when a utility contractor working in the area struck the main,” GLWA said in a news release.
According to the release, GLWA contractors have isolated the water main, which is made of prestressed concrete cylinder pipe, and started excavating the area around the damage. Officials expect crews will begin cutting away the damaged section of main within the next 24 hours so that repairs can begin.
The replacement pipe is being delivered to the site today.
“GLWA has authorized crews to work 24/7 to complete repairs; It is estimated that repairs will be completed by the end of next week,” authority officials said in a news release.
Work crews are taking extra security precautions due to the excavation site’s location close to an active utility pole, according to GLWA.
As a result, residents in New Haven and a portion of Lenox Township have been issued boil water advisories. Water pressure has returned in New Haven, and the required two rounds of water quality testing are expected to begin today, GLWA officials said.
Also, New Haven Community Schools was closed for Wednesday, as school buildings do not have working toilets, sinks, or water fountains, according to Superintendent Cheryl Puzdrakiewicz.
The water authority said it continues to work closely with the impacted communities, which include Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township and New Haven. GLWA’s water truck will be stationed at the Village New Haven City Hall at 57775 Main St. today to provide 1-gallon jugs of water to anyone whose water has been impacted by this unanticipated water main repair.
Officials said GLWA is also working with its member partners in the impacted communities to open emergency connections between communities to minimize any potential impact to homes and businesses in the area.
Any disruption to water pressures should be reported to the local municipality’s department of public works. A similar leak was reported to a 36-inch water transmission main in July 2025 on Gratiot Avenue between 24 Mile and 25 Mile roads.
More information will be shared as it becomes available, according to GLWA representatives.