DETROIT – A city official gave an update on the cleanup efforts Monday, one week after a water main break caused a Detroit neighborhood to flood.
The 54-inch water main, which was built in 1930, burst early on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, displacing hundreds of residents. Many basements were completely flooded, and the water was up to the first floor of some homes. A total of 398 homes were impacted.
General Services Department Director Crystal Perkins said crews are continuing to remove debris and get homes ready for residents to move back in.
To date, the General Services Department has cleared 27 basements and had 25 homes scheduled to be cleared on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, according to Perkins.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has cleared 20 basements so far and has 21 homes scheduled to be cleared on Monday.
Perkins said the cleanup process has been taking an average of one to one and a half hours for each home, but it varies depending on how many items were in the basement.
MORE -- Where things stand in Southwest Detroit water main break 1 week later
In addition to removing debris, crews are replacing damaged appliances, like furnaces and water heaters.
The ideal timeframe for the cleanup and repair process is still six weeks, according to Perkins.
Anyone impacted by the water main break can call 313-774-5261 to be connected to city resources.
Residents impacted by the water main break can submit a claim form here. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) will cover the costs for uninsured residents.
Crews placed and connected a 15-foot segment of replacement pipe on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).
On Monday, Feb. 24, GLWA said that over the 24 hours, crews will install a new access point and then pour a concrete encasement around the pipe sometime this week.
The concrete will need to set for “a period of time to achieve appropriate strength” before final repairs on the DWSD and DTE Energy mains can be made.
GLWA expects the repair and testing process to last through the end of the week of March 3, 2025.
Donations
Patton Recreation Center, located at 2301 Woodmere Street in Detroit, is accepting donations to support those impacted by the main break. Items in high demand include the following:
- Food and water
- Toiletries (e.g. Shampoo, deodorant, soap)
- Baby essentials (e.g. Diapers, wipes, formula)
- Cleaning supplies
The recreation center is now open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
