GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Neighbors and crews are hard at work as cleanup continues on the southeast side of Grand Rapids after Thursday's water main break left streets underwater and nearly 200 homes under a boil water advisory.
On Friday, the city updated on their progress to clean the scene, located at the intersection of Adams Street SE and Philadelphia Avenue SE.
"The water main break at Adams and Philadelphia was repaired last night," Grand Rapids Water System Manager Wayne Jernberg told reporters. "Water started to get energized back into the area that had been shut down about 8:30 last night. Water was officially put back on a few hours later."
The boil water advisory, however, remains in effect as the city continues to test samples to ensure the water is clean.
But as for what may have caused this to happen, Jernberg said the infrastructure itself was likely to blame.
"This is aging infrastructure - perfect example of aging infrastructure," Jernberg said. "The pipe that failed basically had about a 12-foot section blown out of the side of it."
And just one day later on Friday morning, another main break occurred nearby off of Kalamazoo Avenue, albeit on a much smaller scale with no boil water advisory to be issued.
While the two mains are not associated with each other, Jernberg said there could be a relation.
"It could be related," Jernberg said. "But also, in talking with the crew over there, the same thing, similar type of break where the side blew out on the pipe."
While crews at the site of Thursday's main break continue to work on fixing the scene, the city is also offering resources like water cases. The nearly 1,000 cases, Jernberg said, were donated by Meijer.
"[Residents are] getting three cases of water at this time," Jernberg said. "There will be more available to them if they need it."
They're giving the cases to neighbors like Daniel Vermeulen, who is residing just across the intersection from Thursday's main break.
"It's definitely a blessing, for sure," Vermeulen said. "And they gave us some information, sheets of paper that had information about how to take care of our hygiene and cooking and everything while we're waiting for the water to get clean again."
As the city is urging patience while the area is cleared and the water is tested, Vermeulen says he's thankful for what may often be taken for granted.
"It's kind of a good reminder, you know, something like this happening reminds you, reminds us, you know, how lucky we are to have all these services," Vermeulen said.
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