Several communities in Oakland County have issued a mandatory boil water advisory.
The Great Lakes Water Authority says a broken transmission main has caused a drop in water pressure in the system, which can lead to bacterial contamination.
What to do if you are affected by the advisory The advisory calls for residents to use boiled, bottled or disinfected water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.
The affected communities include: 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) So far, Novi, West Bloomfield, and Bloomfield Township have set up water distribution centers.
Novi has eight centers for the "needy and elderly" throughout the affected area, including stations set up specifically to provide non-drinking water for flushing toilets.
In West Bloomfield, a water distribution center has been set up at Keith Sports Park at 2750 Keith Rd.
Officials say they expect to have a replacement piece of pipe installed by Wednesday night and water quality tests will take place afterward.
“The reason for the boiled water is any time we have a rupture in the water system that transports our drinking water, it can allow the introduction of certain contaminants,” says Hansell.
Klobucar says the hospital often runs drills to prepare for this exact situation, and is currently relying on bottled water, jugs of water, and wells underneath the hospital.
“And we will continue to provide the best care possible.” This story was updated at 3:40 p.m., and will be updated as more information is made available.

Farmington Public Schools buildings affected by a Monday water main break and boil water advisory will be closed again on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) on Monday night issued a mandatory boil water advisory for Farmington Hills north of I-696 and a dozen Oakland County communities following a water main break at Farmington and Drake Roads in Farmington Hills.
The advisory prompted Farmington Public Schools to cancel classes and activities Tuesday and Wednesday for Forest Elementary School, Kenbrook Elementary School, Farmington STEAM Academy, Wood Creek Elementary School, Warner Middle School, Harrison High School and North Farmington High School.
The Farmington Community Library Main Library, 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd.
in Farmington Hills, was closed on Tuesday, but expected to re-open contingent on water pressure.
Water in the building is still considered unsafe to drink.
The City of Farmington Hills will distribute bottled water at the Costick Center, 28600 W. 11 Mile Road.
One case of water will be distributed per household per day, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Proof of residency is required.
Residents should also bring containers to fill with potable water in case the bottled water supply has run out.

The danger of tap-water contamination has spurred a boil water advisory, starting Monday, across a wide area of Oakland County, affecting nearly 260,000 people in Bloomfield Township, Farmington Hills, Novi, Walled Lake and other communities.
It’s a public health advisory given by government officials when a city or community’s water system could be contaminated by bacteria.
People are advised to boil tap water or use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food or making ice.
The boil-water advisory affecting 12 Oakland County communities will likely continue until at least late Friday evening, authorities said.
Repairs to the large, failing water main on 14 Mile Road between Farmington and Drake roads are estimated to take until Wednesday night, before two rounds of water-quality testing bring the earliest possible end to the emergency on "late Friday evening," according to a Great Lakes Water Authority news release.
Other communities, including West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Township, have already seen water pressure restored, and may finish the process of water quality testing before others.
All schools in the West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Walled Lake and Novi school districts were closed Tuesday, in addition to portions of the Farmington and Birmingham public school districts.
The West Bloomfield district updated its web page late Tuesday afternoon to say school would be in session Wednesday.
In addition to school districts, a number of private schools – including Detroit Catholic Central in Novi and Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township – and some preschools were closed Tuesday.
According to the advisory, you should bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.

When you’re under a boil water advisory, it can make cooking safely a little more tricky.
Here are some tips from the experts on using less water while cooking: ■ Cook with frozen vegetables, which don’t need washing.
Canned beans, tomatoes and corn can be used in casseroles and chilis.
■ Cook pasta in a skillet.
■ Use no-boil noodles when making lasagna or egg roll wrappers found in the produce section of some grocery stores.
Neither have to be precooked.
■ Substitute milk in place of water when it makes sense.
When using boxed cake mixes, substitute fresh juice (not canned) for some of the water called for on the package.
To substitute milk, use the amount called for in the recipe.
You can also use milk in place of water with some brownie mixes.

At Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield, 15 patients in critical condition were moved to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Robert Riney, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Henry Ford Health System, said scheduled c-sections were rerouted to other hospitals and all elective surgeries were canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We’ll take it day by day after that depending on the word we get of the water main,” Riney said.
Passing through the empty aisle, Novi resident Dale Kind, 60, said he wasn’t surprised by the run on bottled water.
The water authority says it’s working with community water departments to isolate water systems from the damaged portion of main in order to begin repairs.
The regional authority said residents in Wixom, Walled Lake, Commerce Township as well as parts of Novi may experience low to no water pressure as repairs occur because the communities are located at the end of this transmission main and cannot be served water through another part of the system.
The water authority said Tuesday in a statement that while it is trying to restore water to as many customers as possible.
There were dozens of school closings Tuesday.
They included the Novi Community Schools District, the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, the West Bloomfield School District and Bloomfield Hills Schools.
The GLWA continues to investigate the cause of the break.

A boil water advisory can be a nuisance – but it also keeps residents safe.
So what should you do if you’re affected by a boil water advisory?
First of all: Boil your water!
To prevent contamination, you must boil all tap water you use inside your home.
Heat the water on a stove (or another heat source) until bubbles come from the bottom to the top of the pot.
You also must sanitize your containers properly before storing the safe water.
What about bathing and showering?
Make sure you don’t swallow any water when bathing or showering.
Serve your pets bottled water or boiled water that has been cooled.
For more tips and answered questions, read this CDC document.

The danger of tap-water contamination has spurred a boil water advisory, starting Monday, across a wide area of Oakland County, affecting communities such as Bloomfield Township, Farmington Hills, Novi and Walled Lake, plus others.
It’s a public health advisory given by government officials when a city or community’s water system could be contaminated by bacteria.
Until the advisory is lifted, residents are advised to boil water before drinking it or using it to cook to ensure there is no bacteria before consumption.
How did this happen?
People are advised to boil tap water or use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food or making ice.
How long will this last?
The boil-water advisory affecting 11 Oakland County communities will likely continue until at least late Friday evening, authorities said.
Repairs to the large, failing water main on 14 Mile Road between Farmington and Drake roads are estimated to take until Wednesday night, before two rounds of water-quality testing bring the earliest possible end to the emergency on "late Friday evening," according to a Great Lakes Water Authority news release.
School closings All schools in the West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Walled Lake and Novi school districts are closed today.
According to the advisory, you should bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.

Whenever a water system loses pressure for a significant time, precautionary measures are recommended since a loss of pressure can lead to bacterial contamination in the water system, officials said.
When is it safe to cook, wash, drink and clean with the water?
You can wash and clean with the water under a boil water notice (see #3 below) without boiling it first.
Is it safe to shower under a boil water advisory?
You should use boiled water.
The water should reach a rolling boil and boil for 5 minutes.
Do you have to let it stand after you boil the water, why?
Check and flush your outside hose bibb, closest to where the service line enters your home, to try and clear water color.
(Under a boil water notice, can you use bleach to disinfect your water without boiling it first)?
Chlorine Bleach: Common household bleach contains a chlorine compound that will disinfect water.

Everyone in the following 12 communities is advised to boil their tap water before using it: Commerce Township Farmington Hills (North of I-696) Keego Harbor Novi (complete water outage reported) Novi Township Oakland Township (specifically the subdivisions: The Hills of Oakland and Kings Pointe) Orchard Lake Village Rochester Hills (north of Hamlin and west of Livernois) Walled Lake West Bloomfield Township Wixom Boil water before using Residents must bring all water to a boil for at least one minute and then let it cool before using, officials said.
When is it safe to cook, wash, drink and clean with the water?
You can wash and clean with the water under a boil water notice (see #3 below) without boiling it first.
You should use boiled water.
Check and flush your outside hose bibb, closest to where the service line enters your home, to try and clear water color.
You can contact the Billing Services Department to schedule a low-pressure service line flush at 248-858-1110 if the discoloring persists.
(Under a boil water notice, can you use bleach to disinfect your water without boiling it first)?
Chlorine Bleach: Common household bleach contains a chlorine compound that will disinfect water.
RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.
GLWA is taking this precautionary measure due to a transmission main break that occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. today on 14 Mile Road between Farmington and Drake, causing a loss of water pressure in the water distribution system (pressure below 20 psi).

Thousands of residents throughout Oakland County are being told to boil their drinking water following a water main break in Farmington Hills.
"Residents should not drink the water without boiling it first," the advisory states.
"It’s a transmission main, which is a pretty large piece of infrastructure."
Earlier in the day, at about 5:45 p.m. Monday, Farmington Hills officials warned motorists to avoid 14 Mile Road between Drake and Farmington roads due to a reported water main break.
Farmington Hills Mayor Ken Massey said Monday the water main repair could take up to three days to complete, while 14 Mile in the affected area could be shut down for a two-week period.
"We understand that it is an inconvenience but appreciate your patience and understanding while we get the main repaired."
Bloomfield Township residents are also being advised to boil because of the water main break.
"Repairs are underway, but no time has been set yet for a full return to service.
In the meantime, it is recommended to boil water," the e-mail blast states.
Abukhader said the GLWA Water Quality will advise the affected communities when the boil water advisory has been lifted.