Township boil water advisory lifted

As of 11:50 a.m. Friday, October 27, the boil water advisory for Bloomfield Township and Keego Harbor has been lifted, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and Bloomfield Township officials.

“The mandatory boil water advisory issued for Bloomfield Township and Keego Harbor has been lifted, effective immediately,” read a statement from GLWA. “Testing has confirmed that the water is safe to consume and cook with, and meets all Safe Drinking Water Act regulations.”

The boil water advisory had been in effect since Monday night, October 23, after a 48-inch water main on 14 Mile Road in Farmington Hills ruptured, leaving many township residents with reduced water pressure which has since been restored – but several other communities were in much worse situations, without any water at all. In total, 12 Oakland County communities were left with boil water advisories.

“Many other communities, their systems were completely impacted much greater than we were,” township Supervisor Leo Savoie said. “We were able to shut off our system at 14 Mile and Inkster and closed it off. If it had been left open, it would have completely drained our system.”

Now that the all-clear is given, there are still precautions that must be taken, county officials warned.

“Even after the boil water advisory has been lifted, it does not mean you can drink or use the water right away. Some residents, businesses, restaurants, and healthcare, school and childcare facilities need to be aware of devices, appliances, and other items that have been impacted,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County.

Stafford advised that residents should also be aware that they cannot wash fruit, vegetables, and food preparation surfaces, as well as use the ice or water from refrigerators until steps are followed to flush internal water systems and devices.

Bloomfield Township has posted instructions for using the water at BloomfieldTwp.org.