People in 11 Oakland County communities are advised to boil water used for drinking, preparing food and more after a line break potentially contaminated systems.
Healthcare facilities, residents and businesses are told to bring water to a rolling boil for one minute, allowing it 15 minutes to cool before drinking, according to the Oakland County government website.
Providence Park Hospital in Novi and Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield both cancelled elective surgeries and are transferring and some patients elsewhere, WDIV-TV (Channel 4) and WJBK (Channel 2) report.
Beaumont Medical Center in West Bloomfield also may be affected on Tuesday, and people are advised to call to confirm appointments scheduled there today, WJBK reports.
The transmission main break occurred around 5:45 p.m. Monday on 14 Mile Road between Farmington and Drake roads, causing a loss of water pressure in the water distribution system, officials said.
A loss of pressure can lead to bacterial contamination in the water system.
Boiling water before using it will kill bacteria and other organisms that may be in it.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available by calling the Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Communities affected by the boil-water advisory • Novi – In the area bounded by 14 mile on the north, 8 mile on the south, Napier on the west, and Haggerty on the east.
Contact Robert Allen on Twitter @rallenMI or rallen@freepress.com.