Residents told to avoid drinking water after man breaks into, vandalizes Sylvan Twp. water treatment plant

SYLVAN TWP. (WWJ) — Residents in one Washtenaw County township are being told to not drink the water after a man was caught breaking into the water treatment plant and vandalizing it.

Around 7 a.m. Michigan State Police were called to the water treatment plant in Sylvan Township — about halfway between Ann Arbor and Jackson — when employees showing up for work discovered the building had been broken into.

As a trooper was taking a report from the employees, a 33-year-old man from Belleville was seen coming out of the building. He was arrested at the scene.

The suspect had broken into the plant, caused damage to the inside and tampered with the system controls, according to MSP. Officials say there was also evidence of “attempts to damage local infrastructure.”

He reportedly poured cement down multiple drains, according to WDIV.

The suspect is believed to have gotten onto the property by cutting a hole in a barbed wire fence. When he got inside he spray painted over the building’s windows in an attempt to not be seen, MSP officials said.

He also “created a makeshift bed from items in the building,” MSP officials said.

The man, whose name has not been released, is being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on numerous charges.

While officials say there is no visual evidence the water is contaminated, residents are being told not to drink the water while authorities run tests to confirm its safety.