Harsens Island residents left without running water after water main break
CLAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (FOX 2) - After a night of freezing temperatures and snow, some St. Clair County residents woke up to another big issue causing headaches, no running water.
Folks on Harsens Island have been dealing with this issue all day. Residents in Clay Township also received an alert this morning letting them know there was a water main break and no immediate fix.
Water is all around, but not a drop to drink. There’s no water on Harsens Island.
"It was kind of strange, you know, normally we’re out of power," said Firefighter Brian Sears. "Out of water is the first time for us over here. Try to make coffee out of air."
Just after midnight on Thursday morning, a drop in water pressure and then nothing.
"Those of us that have been here, we know to just grab your five-gallon buckets, fill up your tubs, whatever you can to have extra water in the house," said Resident Peggy Krispin. "You learn to survive."
"I went downstairs and there was no water," said Resident Matteo DiMaggio. "So I’m panicking."
Why is there no running water on Harsens Island?
An investigation revealed the water main broke. The big problem is the leak appears to be under the river.
"It’s going to be very complicated. The waterline was put in 1978, and they’ve never had a failure until today," said Justin Westmiller of Homeland Security.
Due to the harsh weather and the waves, emergency management couldn't send a diver. That means residents will have to wait until who knows when.
St. Clair County’s emergency services are ready to search when the weather clears, but it’ll be tricky.
"First we need to find where it’s broken," said Westmiller "There’s about 1800 feet of water pipeline under there, and it’s buried a couple feet below the bottom. But, we need to find where that break is, and then decide the course of action."
What's next?
In the meantime, islanders can pick up water rations at the fire department.
"We’ve got a few people who are handicapped people that can’t get out, so we have somebody deliver water to them," said Sears.
Residents are ready to take it day by day.
"Tomorrow we’re going to my daughter’s to shower and wash our clothes and hope for the best," said DiMaggio.