Water main break prompts Plymouth officials to crack down on Northgate Trailer Park repairs

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

A weekend water main break that left residents without running water for days has prompted the City of Plymouth to accelerate its demands for repairs at the Northgate Trailer Park.

Plymouth Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal appeared before the Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday evening to request an urgent modification to an existing "Order to Take Action" against the park's owners.

The request came after Manuwal was notified of a water main break that occurred in the park on Friday. As of Monday evening's meeting, contractors were still struggling to resolve the issue, and residents had been without water since the break began.

The city had originally issued an Order to Take Action regarding the property on April 30, 2025. In October 2025, the board granted an extension, giving the owners until the spring of 2026 to complete a list of required repairs, which specifically included upgrading the park's waterlines.

In light of the recent water crisis, Manuwal asked the board to significantly tighten that timeline. Under the newly modified order, the park's owners now have just 30 days to show substantial progress on the repairs, and 60 days—or until May 23—to complete all previously ordered work.

The modified order also includes new mandates for the property, calling for the demolition of the structure on lot 120, as well as the complete removal of debris and remaining tree trunks from recent tree-trimming work on lot 133.

City officials have witnessed the deteriorating conditions firsthand. Mayor Robert Listenberger and Councilman Don Ecker both recently drove through the park to assess the situation.

“It looks like a mess,” Mayor Listenberger remarked during the meeting.

The Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved the Building Commissioner’s request to modify the order and enforce the stricter deadlines.

The board will hold a public hearing during its upcoming April 13 meeting to formally address the additional demolition order for lot 120.