Update: Water Main Break FAQ and Resource Links

by orionontv | May 15, 2026 | News

Water Main Break FAQ

Where can I find the most recent update?
A press conference was held on May 13 at 2:00 p.m. providing the most recent updates. WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE RECORDING HERE

An update meeting for restaurant community members was held at 1 p.m. to discuss health and safety protocols for restaurant operations.
View a recording of the Water Break Restaurant Update meeting here.

What are the modifications to Orion Township water use restrictions?
Water use restrictions have been lifted (effective May 13, 2026 2:00 p.m.). Residents and businesses may resume normal water use. The Boil Water Advisory remains in place until further notice.

Again, while moving back toward normal, our boil water alert is still in effect. We encourage everyone to review all boil water advisory guidelines from Public Health Oakland here.

Read what to do RIGHT NOW, during a boil water advisory.
Read what to do AFTER the boil water advisory is lifted .

Both Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion have signed orders rescinding Fire and Life Safety Evacuation.

View Orion Township’s Order Rescinding Fire & Life Safety Evacuation here.
View the Village of Lake Orion’s Order Rescinding Fire & Life Safety Evacuation here.

Where can I get water?
3 water distribution stations will remain in place until the boil water advisory is lifted.

Water Distribution Station Hours:
Thursday (5/14): 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday (5/15): 8 a.m. – 7 p.m
Saturday (5/16): 8 a.m. – 2 p.m
Sunday (5/17): 8 a.m. – 2 p.m

Water Distribution Station Locations:
Wildwood Amphitheater
2700 Joslyn Court
Lake Orion, MI 48360
NOTE: PLEASE ENTER OFF OF WALDON AND EXIT OFF OF JOSLYN

Village of Lake Orion
Atwater Park
426 Atwater Street
Lake Orion, MI 48362

Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills Department of Public Works
1500 Brown Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

Can I flush my toilet?
Yes!

Can I shower?
Yes! Review Oakland County Health Guidelines for Boil Water Advisory.

Can I use my dishwasher or washing machine?
Yes!

Can I use my sprinkler system?
Yes!

Can I use tap water to make coffee?
No! Bottled water is recommended for coffee machines. Coffee machines do not heat water to a temperature sufficient for decontamination. Review Oakland County Health Guidelines for Boil Water Advisory.

Can I use non-boiled tap water to wash my hands?
Yes! Using hand sanitizer afterward is also recommended. Review Oakland County Health Guidelines for Boil Water Advisory.

When can we expect the boil water advisory to be lifted?
The boil water advisory is in place until further notice. The boil water advisory will be lifted as soon as safely possible.

What about restaurants?
At this time, restaurants may operate their kitchens and water use at normal levels. However, the Boil Water Advisory remains in place.
From a boil water advisory standpoint, commercial dishwashers are considered safe for sanitation purposes. Tap water filtered through coffee machines is not safe to drink. Fountain drinks connected to the tap water system is not safe to drink. Food preparation must be done following Boil Water Advisory guidelines for safe food preparation and handling.

Food establishments are encouraged to view our local health official’s Food Service Emergency Action Plan here.

It is okay for patrons and employees to use restrooms and wash their hands. While the boil water advisory is in effect, hand sanitizer should be used after handwashing.

Please direct any additional health or sanitation concerns to health@oakgov.com.

When can I/my loved one return to their assisted living facility?
Residents at assisted living facilities may return. Please check with your facility to learn about the return plan.

Is the Orion Recreation Center (ORC) open?
With use restrictions now lifted, the ORC and indoor pool (back up to temp!) will be open tomorrow as usual. However, as we remain under a boil water advisory, the drinking fountains and steam room will not be available for use at this time.

When will schools reopen?
Schools may reopen when they are prepared to do so, operating under boil water advisory guidelines.

How do I safely handle food and hygiene during a boil water advisory ?
View Great Lakes Water Authority’s Water Boil Advisory FAQ here.
Review Oakland County Health Guidelines for Boil Water Advisory.
Food establishments are encouraged to view our local health official’s Food Service Emergency Action Plan here.

How do I signup to receive emergency alerts?
All Orion residents are encouraged to subscribe to receive free emergency alerts through CivicPlus. Residents can also text OrionMI to 38276 to subscribe.

How can I subscribe to receive email updates?
Email updates have been sent through GovDelivery.
Subscribe to either an Orion Township or Orion Parks & Recreation distribution list.

How can I help others during this emergency?
Reach out to homebound neighbors or anyone who might need special assistance.
If you’re on well water, open your water source to friends, neighbors, the public to the extent you’re comfortable.
Sign up to volunteer at one of our water distribution sites.
Sign up to volunteer a service.

Residents are currently being provided with one gallon of water per person in the household. If a distribution site temporarily runs out of water, supply trucks will replenish inventory and return as quickly as possible (typically within a few hours) to resume distribution operations.

What if I am an essential business and have not been provided with sanitation support?
Complete the Businesses Seeking Information from OTFD request form.

What are other information sources or resources I should use/aware of?
Oakland Connects
(800) 848-5533

Great Lakes Water Authority

Oakland Connects Helpline (formerly Nurse on Call):
Call 800-848-5533
OCHelpline@oakgov.com

Oakland County Michigan Health Department

Orion Township Facebook

Water Distribution Site Volunteer Signup

Volunteer Signup for those offering a service

Businesses with questions for the Fire Department request form

Rep. Steele Highlights Foster Care Challenges as Parents, Advocates Testify in Lansing

by orionontv | May 15, 2026 | News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2026

Rep. Steele Highlights Foster Care Challenges as Parents, Advocates Testify in Lansing

State Rep. Donni Steele joined foster parents and advocates Tuesday in delivering testimony before the House Committee on Families and Veterans, highlighting the need to reform foster care in the state of Michigan.

The group from Southeast Michigan shared personal experiences as foster parents and former foster children, describing the daily struggles they face and the ways the state continues to fail foster families and children in care.

“Foster care was designed to be a system to support children and families during difficult times,” said Steele (R-Lake Orion). “Supporting stable foster homes should be our goal so that we do not have the high foster parent burnout rates that we currently see. This creates greater instability in children’s lives through frequent moving and can further contribute to emotional trauma.”

The testimony underscored how the shortage of foster homes hits hardest for teenagers, sibling groups, children with autism or behavioral challenges, and children with complex medical needs. As a result, many children experience repeated placements that separate them from their schools and families or force them into shelters and emergency situations.

Steele’s guests drew attention to “long-haulers,” foster cases that drag on for more than three years without the state resolving the case.

“The level of stress and uncertainty that foster families and foster children experience is unimaginable,” Steele said. “We must shine a light on these cases and prioritize their resolution.”

Foster care needs reform.

Orion Township Issues Water Emergency

by orionontv | May 10, 2026 | News

Orion Township Issues Emergency Update Following GLWA Water Main Break

PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY, SUNDAY, MAY 10 AT 10:00 AM

Orion Township Hall
2323 Joslyn Road
Orion, MI 48360

ORION TOWNSHIP, MI — The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has confirmed that the 42-inch water transmission main supplying water to Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion has now broken.

As a result, water pressure throughout the community is expected to steadily decline, with the possibility of a complete water outage occurring within the next several hours depending on overall system conditions and community water usage.

Given the rapidly evolving nature of this incident and the critical need to preserve remaining water supply for essential use, residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to immediately reduce water consumption. Businesses and places of worship are urged to consider suspending in-person operations and large gatherings until further notice, as high-volume water use may accelerate depletion of available system capacity.

Water Conservation Guidance

All residents are asked to restrict water use to only what is absolutely essential for:

Drinking and hydration
Basic sanitation

Residents are asked to avoid all nonessential water use, including:

Laundry
Dishwashers
Lawn watering
Extended showers
Any other unnecessary water consumption

Conserving water at this time may help preserve system pressure and extend access for critical community needs.

Community Support and Mutual Aid

Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, particularly those who may need assistance, and to coordinate support where possible. Nearby communities, including Clarkston and Oxford, are currently not impacted and may be available as additional resources.

Water Distribution Sites

GLWA water distribution trucks have been deployed to the following locations to provide free bottled water to residents:

Orion Township
Wildwood Amphitheater
2700 Joslyn Court
Lake Orion, MI 48360

Village of Lake Orion
Atwater Park
426 Atwater Street
Lake Orion, MI 48362

Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills Department of Public Works
1500 Brown Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

Water distribution will continue for the duration of the emergency outage.

Repairs and Restoration Timeline

Repair work on the damaged transmission main is expected to be extensive. Once the pipe is replaced, the system will require disinfection, flushing, testing, and regulatory approval before service can be restored.

At this time, residents and businesses should prepare for the possibility of a prolonged outage, with current estimates indicating restoration may take approximately 10–14 days.

Ongoing Updates

Conditions remain fluid, and additional guidance will be issued as new information becomes available.

Orion Township will continue to provide updates through official communication channels as information is confirmed.

Let’s fish! Trout, Lower Peninsula Walleye, Pike Open Saturday

by orionontv | Apr 24, 2026 | News

Share or view as webpage | Update preferences

DNR News

April 23, 2026
Contact: Christian LeSage, 517-449-7073 or Lucas Nathan, 517-599-9323

Let’s fish! Trout, Lower Peninsula walleye and pike seasons open Saturday

New, interactive map makes inland trout regulations easier to navigate this season

Michigan’s 2026 trout season opens on Saturday, April 25.

Break out that rod and tacklebox: Michigan’s trout and Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 25. Mark your calendar, find your fishing spot and invite an old fishing buddy — or a new one — to enjoy some spring fishing!

With the Department of Natural Resources’ new, interactive Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations map, it’s easier than ever to check the regulations for the areas you plan to fish. Find the map online at Michigan.gov/FishingMaps or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, so you always have it on hand.

Anglers should be aware that in Upper Peninsula waters, the walleye and northern pike possession seasons open May 15, which falls on a Friday this year. Michigan’s muskellunge possession season on all Great Lakes, inland waters, the St. Marys River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers opens Saturday, June 6 (catch-and-immediate-release fishing for muskellunge is open all year).

Michigan’s Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 25.

The catch-and-immediate-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open all year on nearly all waters (unless otherwise closed to fishing — check the current Michigan Fishing Regulations for specifics). The possession season for bass opens statewide Saturday, May 23, except for on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, which open Saturday, June 20.

Know before you go

Many areas of Michigan are experiencing high water levels and flooding due to spring rain and snowmelt. Exercise caution when navigating, wading in or walking near swollen streams and avoid fishing in floodwaters, as there may be new hazards in the waterway. For the latest information about DNR facility closures, including boating access sites, visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures and search “recent flooding.”

Protect our waters

Michigan’s trout streams are under increasing threat from harmful species that affect habitat and food sources for trout and other fish. Both didymo (rock snot) and New Zealand mudsnail can unintentionally be moved to new locations on waders, nets and gear. To protect our waters, be prepared and take the time to decontaminate before moving to a new river or stream.

Learn more about actions anglers and boaters can take to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Fishing licenses

The new license season began April 1, so make sure you’ve purchased a new fishing license for this fishing season before you hit the water. The 2026 annual fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2027. If you need assistance with your fishing license, contact DNR licensing staff at MDNR-E-License@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-6057.

The 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations and Inland Trout & Salmon Maps are available online at Michigan.gov/Fishing, along with a lot of other helpful fishing information. Buy your license online or download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app to purchase your licenses, report harvests, access regulations and get the latest hunting and fishing updates.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Trout fishing: Michigan’s 2026 trout season opens Saturday, April 25.
Walleye season: Michigan’s Lower Peninsula inland walleye and northern pike seasons open Saturday, April 25.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR.