Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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August 14, 2022
On the morning of August 13, 2022, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) became aware of a break in a 120-inch diameter water transmission main in St. Clair County. This transmission main is the largest in GLWA’s regional water distribution system. Access to water for an estimated 935,000 people has been compromised by the break.
In response to the changing water pressure levels, a Boil Water Advisory was initially issued for 23 communities, including the Village of Almont, City of Auburn Hills, Bruce Township, Burtchville Township, Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, City of Flint, Flint Township, City of Imlay City, Lenox Township, Macomb Township, Mayfield Township, Village of New Haven, Orion Township, City of Pontiac, City of Rochester, City of Rochester Hills, City of Romeo, Shelby Township, City of Sterling Heights, City of Troy, City of Utica, and Washington Township. A revised advisory was issued in the afternoon of August 13, removing ten communities from the Boil Water Advisory and leaving it in place for the others. Tens of thousands of residents will be forced to depend on alternative sources of water.
There is an immediate and ongoing need for bottled and shipped water to provide safe drinking water. Local officials in the impacted communities have taken several actions to respond, including activating the emergency response and recovery aspects of their emergency operations plans. Despite these efforts, State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to and recover from the effect of this emergency, to protect public health, safety, and property, and to lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.
Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), “[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists.”
Therefore, acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, including the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.401 to 30.421, I order the following:
1. A state of emergency is declared for Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. Additional jurisdictions may be added as needs and conditions change.
2. The Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Department of State Police shall coordinate and maximize all state efforts and may call upon all state departments to utilize available resources to assist in the designated area pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Management Plan.
3. The state of emergency is terminated at such time as the threats to public health, safety, and property caused by the emergency no longer exist, and appropriate programs have been implemented to recover from the effects of this emergency, but in no case later than September 11, 2022, unless extended as provided by the Emergency Management Act.
Click to view the full PDF of the executive order.
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