GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — UPDATE: The City of Grand Rapids announced Wednesday that the boil water advisory is lifted, but residents are encouraged to follow these next steps.
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Thousands of West Michiganders are being impacted after a boil water advisory was issued Sunday afternoon following a water main break.
Issues with water in Grand Rapids were first reported by viewers around 2 p.m. Sunday. Some people noticed their water pressure wasn't normal, while others had no water at all.
The city issued a boil water advisory later Sunday afternoon. They have since been working to correct the issue. You may see fire hydrants throughout the northeast side of the city pumping water as they work to flush the system.
The issues caused some businesses to close abruptly on Sunday, like Celebration Cinema North and Frederik Meijer Gardens. Some schools under the advisory area were closed on Monday. Officials with Grand Rapids Public Schools will decide whether 22 schools impacted by the advisory will be closed Tuesday.
This advisory only applies to those with city water within the impacted areas. If you use well water, you don't have to boil your water.
Where is the Grand Rapids boil water advisory in place?
The city said residents should boil their water if they live east of US-131 and north of Hall Street.
The communities impacted are the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Township.
This map shows the areas that fall under the advisory:
What is a boil water advisory?
When a boil water advisory is issued, it means there is a chance that harmful bacteria could be inside your tap water. This could be due to a water main break, equipment failure, insufficient disinfectant or other issues.
An advisory is issued so residents can take steps to protect their health.
What do I need to do under a boil water advisory?
Until the boil water advisory is lifted, you should boil any water you plan to use for drinking, brushing your teeth, cooking and washing your dishes.
Let the water hit a rolling boil for at least one minute and let it cool before using. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water that could be harmful.
You can use tap water for washing your hands, doing laundry and bathing, although you should be careful not to swallow any of the water.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation. It should also be given to pets instead of tap water.
You can run the dishwasher under a boil water advisory if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit or it has a sanitizing cycle.
Even if your fridge has a water filter, you should still boil the water and cool it before consuming it.
Boil water advisory guidelines
How to get free water
The City of Grand Rapids and SpartanNash are teaming up to provide water to people affected by the city's boil water notice.
Any residents who are impacted by the advisory can pick up a free case of water (one case per vehicle) on Monday, March 18, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The pickup location is 1635 Leonard St. NE. The city will have temporary signs and staff to direct traffic at the pickup location.
Water distribution continues on Wednesday at a different location.
The City will provide one case of water per vehicle courtesy of SpartanNash from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 20 while supplies last.
Drivers are asked to go to the Huff Park baseball field parking lot at 2399 Ball Ave NE. Traffic patterns in the area will be adjusted to accommodate the distribution so please be patient and follow staff instructions and temporary signs.
What if I drank tap water without boiling it first?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said most people who drink tap water under a boil water advisory will not get sick, but that the symptoms are similar to food poisoning.
If you experience nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and possibly a mild fever after drinking tap water, you're encouraged to stay hydrated and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms worsen.
Will we get a credit for the boil water advisory?
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to the City of Grand Rapids to see if customers impacted by the low-pressure issues and boil water advisory would receive any credit:
"No, while we understand the inconvenience the boil notice has caused, at this time customers are receiving water service."
More Frequently Asked Questions
When will the boil water advisory be lifted?
A typical boil water advisory lasts for three to four days. Grand Rapids officials say the advisory will remain in effect until Wednesday at the earliest.
The City of Grand Rapids shared a promising update Tuesday that they received their first round of testing. That result was negative.
The water system has been flushed and the City is currently preparing for another round of sampling.
There needs to be two rounds of testing over 48 hours as a Federal and State requirement. The second round is currently being conducted, and will not be complete by Tuesday.
More information on the advisory is available on the city’s website at grandrapidsmi.gov.
If you have more questions or need to report a water/sewer emergency, contact customer service by dialing 616-456-3000, or dial 311 if you are within the city limits.
Still have questions?
You can text "water" to 616-559-1310 to share your lingering questions about the boil water advisory, and we'll do our best to get answers from the City of Grand Rapids.
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