"Do not drink water" advisory canceled in Washtenaw County township after security breach at treatment plant
(CBS DETROIT) — The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office announced that a "do not drink water" advisory in Sylvan Township has been lifted following an incident at the water treatment plant.
In an update on Wednesday, the sheriff's office said the advisory was lifted after testing by township authorities and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) determined the water was safe to drink.
In a social media post shared Monday, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said a "do not drink water advisory" has been issued for residents who receive their municipal water supply from the Sylvan Township Water Treatment Plant.
Authorities said it is no longer necessary to consume bottled water.
On Monday, the sheriff's office said officials discovered a security breach occurred at the Sylvan Township Water Treatment Plant, which included the tampering of the control system.
Robert Scull, administrator of the Sylvan Township Department of Public Works, said operators found that the fence had been tampered with and there was graffiti.
Michigan State Police responded to the plant at about 7 a.m. and arrested the suspect, a 33-year-old Belleville man, as he was exiting the building. He was taken to the Washtenaw County Jail on several charges.
The suspect allegedly accessed the plant by cutting through the barbed wire fence. He also made a makeshift bed from items he found within the plant, according to state police.
There wasn't visible evidence that the water was contaminated, but they said testing would be conducted.
On Tuesday afternoon, city officials released an update and said the testing came back clean.
Sylvan Township Supervisor Kathleen Kennedy said that the city received expedited shipping for new chemicals since the breach could have compromised the current barrels.
In addition, EGLE requested that "the water be purged from the tower" since they could not be certain if it was compromised, according to Kennedy.
Kennedy said Wednesday that the township is hopeful that it will return to normal service by the end of Wednesday and that water testing indicates that samples meet state water quality standards.
If anyone sees any changes in the quality of the water, they are asked to contact township water officials at 734 475-8890, ext. 112. In addition, authorities say anyone who has seen suspicious activity involving tampering with public infrastructure should call 810-227-1051.
