Residents report water-main breaks and household leaks to the Great Lakes Water Authority or their local water department, and post-Flint Michigan Pure Drinking Water rules require utilities to investigate suspected lead service lines and elevated-result leaks promptly.
Visible water-main breaks, sinkholes, and curb-stop leaks should be reported to the local water department of each Wayne County community; GLWA handles transmission-main issues and large breaks. After the Flint lead crisis, Michigan tightened the Lead and Copper Rule, and Public Act MCL 325.1001 et seq. now requires utilities to maintain a service-line inventory, replace lead lines on a fixed schedule, and respond to elevated-lead complaints within set timelines. Customers who suspect interior lead exposure can request free or reduced-cost testing. Hidden underground leaks on the customer side remain the homeowner's repair responsibility past the curb stop.
Failing to repair a customer-side leak after notice can trigger water-service shutoff and recovery of the wasted-water cost on subsequent bills.
See how Dearborn's leak reporting duty rules stack up against other locations.
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