CLAY TWP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A water main break has halted running water going towards Harsens Island, according to officials.
Residents of Clay Township got a push alert Thursday morning from St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management, saying that the water main break is "causing complete loss of service to Harsens Island."
According to an official with St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency, the sole water pipeline that runs under the north channel, that provides the entire water supply for Harsens Island, broke underwater.
They are not able to put a diver into Lake St. Clair to assess the damage and possible repair options, as the conditions in the water are too dangerous. There are three-foot waves on the lake right now due to the winds
It's estimated that 600 homes, or 1,500-2,000 people, on the island are without water.
The Clay Township Fire Department on the island is handing delivery of water bottles to residents on the island.
Donna Halacoglu, who lives on the north channel, said she noticed overnight that the water wasn't working and she called the non-emergency line and learned others on the island were without water.
Hear from Halacoglu in the video below
She also has parents on the island and she managed to get water to them as well.
"We can stay in our homes, but we can't use the bathroom facilities or shower, so I really don't know," Halacoglu said when asked what their plan is if the water is shut off for longer than a few days.
She said they are planning to go to the mainland to get water as well.
"This is quite challenging. We have the river in front of us so we can use that for toilets and to flush," Jackie Beyer said. "I can only do this for a few days, but I have animals at home."
Hear more from Beyer in the video below
There is not an estimated time for repairs, because the county says that at this time, it's unsafe to send a diver into the water to fix the water main. The county says that further information will be shared on Clay Township's website.
