Southwest Detroit residents face ongoing recovery from flooding

A month ago, a water main break in Southwest Detroit caused severe flooding for residents near Beard and Rowan streets. Recovery efforts are ongoing, but many locals are worried that a similar incident could occur in their areas. Sam Smalley, deputy director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), warned that the risk is high due to old infrastructure, with many water pipes averaging 95 years in age. Gabriela Moreno shared her family’s experience after the break. Her mother’s home shook during the incident, and they have been struggling with damage since returning three and a half weeks later. The family has cracks in their basement and is waiting for a foundation assessment. They are also facing issues with their kitchen, which has no electricity. Gabriela expressed that their home has been maintained for 13 years, and the damage feels unexpected. The community has rallied to support affected residents. Volunteers like Jimmy Rios have played a key role, using social media to coordinate help and share updates in both English and Spanish. He noted the growing optimism among homeowners as progress becomes visible. DWSD has an asset management program that assesses the likelihood of water and sewer failures. Smalley confirmed that due to the old infrastructure, similar breaks are possible. The department is inspecting neighborhoods to prioritize repairs, focusing on areas near schools and hospitals. They estimate that they rehabilitate or replace about 25% of identified issues in each neighborhood. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan mentioned that water agencies are addressing significant problems in the water mains and sewer lines. Some city leaders believe the issue of aging infrastructure is widespread and requires national attention. For the Moreno family, urgent answers and repairs are essential as the warmer weather approaches.