Many Grand Rapids residents are under a boil water advisory Sunday after a large water main break on the northeast side of the city.
Anyone who lives east of U.S. 131 and north of Hall Street should not drink the tap water unless it’s boiled first.
The map of affected areas in Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Township can be viewed here. About 20,000 customers are impacted.
“Everybody should have access to water at this point,” said Wayne Jernberg, water system manager for the City of Grand Rapids, during a Sunday evening update. “But in terms of safety for use of cooking, cleaning your pans, things like that, make sure you’re boiling your water.”
The Grand Rapids Water Department responded to a water main break around 3:35 p.m. near Leonard Street and Union Avenue that affected multiple water pumping pressure districts, according to the city. Around 4:30 p.m., a water boil notice was issued due to water disruption with low to no water pressure.
“That pressure drop from that break created an issue at our Livingston Pump Station on the discharge side that caused our pressure switches there to go into alert and shut the pumps off,” Jernberg said. “When those pumps shut off it effectively killed service to the northeast side.”
Public safety alerts were also sent to cell phones in the vicinity.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food. Water should be brought to a boil for one minute to kill any bacteria and cooled before use.
“A typical boil water advisory lasts 3-4 days, as we flush the system and sample according to State and Federal requirements once the main break is fixed,” the city said in an update.
Residents might see temporary water discoloration as crews flush about 25 hydrants throughout the city, according to Jernberg. The city expects to start sampling the water Monday and Tuesday.
“If everything goes as we hope, and all our samples come back clean, then they should have their water service back Wednesday,” he said.
Water is safe for normal use for those who live outside the affected area.
The water issues caused several businesses to close early on Sunday afternoon. Frederik Meijer Gardens shut down around 2:30 p.m. due to “an area-wide water outage,” and Celebration Cinema North closed because the “surrounding area is without water” with plans to reopen Monday.
“You will receive another notification when the advisory is lifted,” the city said.
According to Jernberg, the cause of the break is still under investigation.
Jernberg notes on Monday, after crews finish repairs on the break, the city will begin to send samples of the water to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for quality testing. They must provide clear results for a 48-hour period before the boil advisory can be lifted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water should be boiled for at least one minute and allowed to cool to effectively kill any bacteria that may be in it. Water filtered through a tap or pitcher, like a Brita, should be boiled as well.
The CDC says under a boil advisory, it is safe to wash one’s hands, do laundry, and shower as long as none of the water is swallowed.
Side effects of drinking contaminated water include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Anyone with further questions can contact the city of Grand Rapids customer service at 616-456-3000 or 311. Visit www.grandrapidsmi.gov for more information.
