Bay City officials close in on water main break

Large fracture has drained millions of gallons

8/12/2014

BAY CITY, Mich. — After three days of frustrating searches and perhaps 20 million gallons of drained water, Bay City officials said Monday that they likely have found the source of a large water main break.

City Manager Rick Finn said crews were turning off valves to a 24-inch water main that ruptured near the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The water made its way into an abandoned, 36-inch storm pipe that discharges into the Saginaw River, The Bay City Times reported.

Mr. Finn emphasized that the water-use emergency has not been lifted for the city of 35,000 and the surrounding county, and won’t until work is completed on the water main.

Under the emergency, residents have been asked to avoid unnecessary water use and cut down on using water for personal hygiene.