Detroit Battles Rising Number of Water Main Breaks Amid Frigid Temperatures

City crews work around the clock to address scattered water main breaks across the city

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Residents across Detroit are dealing with a growing number of water main breaks as the city continues to grapple with frigid winter temperatures. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department reports that the number of breaks has risen to 61 since Tuesday, with crews working to remove ice and snow and repair damaged infrastructure across the city. Officials say they have a robust capital improvement program to inspect and replace aging water mains, but the combination of extreme cold and aging pipes has led to the recent spike in issues.

Why it matters

Water main breaks can cause significant disruption and damage to homes and businesses, leaving residents without access to running water. The situation in Detroit highlights the challenges many aging cities face in maintaining critical infrastructure, especially during harsh winter weather. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring public safety and minimizing the impact on the local community.

The details

According to Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Deputy Director Sam Smalley, the city has deployed additional resources to address the water main breaks, including 11 water main break crews and 8 crews focused on removing ice and snow from affected areas. Residents in the Laing Street neighborhood on the city's east side reported being trapped in their homes due to frozen water and ice blocking driveways, with some vehicles becoming stuck in the water. One resident expressed frustration with the ongoing issues, stating that her basement was flooded and that the street has a history of flooding problems.

  • On Tuesday, the number of reported water main breaks in Detroit rose significantly.
  • As of Wednesday, the city was reporting 61 water main breaks across the city.

The players

Sam Smalley

Deputy Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, overseeing the city's response to the water main breaks.

Will Johnson

A resident of the Laing Street neighborhood, which was heavily impacted by the water main breaks and resulting ice and flooding.

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What they’re saying

“We're at 61. It did go up overnight. We're staying on top of it.”

— Sam Smalley, Deputy Director, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (CBS News Detroit)

“Crazy. It's still, as you can see kinda hectic out here.”

— Will Johnson (CBS News Detroit)

What’s next

The city is continuing to work around the clock to address the water main breaks, with crews focused on repairing damaged infrastructure and clearing ice and snow from affected areas. Officials say they have a robust capital improvement program to inspect and replace aging water mains, but the recent spike in issues highlights the ongoing challenges the city faces in maintaining its critical water systems.

The takeaway

The water main break crisis in Detroit underscores the broader challenges facing aging cities in the United States, where critical infrastructure like water and sewer systems often require significant investment to maintain and upgrade. As extreme weather events become more frequent, addressing these infrastructure issues will be crucial for ensuring public safety and minimizing disruptions to residents and businesses.