Oakland County Water Emergency: Bulletins & Notes

Bulletins are pouring in as a dozen western Oakland County communities deal with a water emergency as a result of a major water main break in Farmington Hills Monday night. 

• Boil water advisory - A mandatory boil water advisory is in effect for a large chunk of Oakland County, likely through Friday night. Details.
• Novi hard-hit - The entire city is struggling with little to no water service. Conserve if you have it. Details.
• Schools closed - Many Oakland County schools are closed due to water issues. Details.
• Hospitals affected - Providence Hospital in Novi, the Beaumont Medical Center - West Bloomfield, and Henry Ford West Bloomfield have limited operations. Details.
• FAQs on water crisis - The Great Lakes Water Authority has released a list of frequently asked questions on the Oakland County water emergency. Details.
• Oakland University - Portions of the OU campus are affected by the boil water advisory including: Faculty subdivision; Student cottages on Adams Road; John Dodge House; Meadow Brook Greenhouse; Steve Sharf Clubhouse; Golf Pavilion; OU Incubator; Meadow Brook Hall; Sunset Terrace and Meadow Brook Music Festival. Buildings on the main campus are not affected.
• Bloomfield Township - Distributing water for township residents who need it at the Bloomfield Township Senior Center on Andover Rd. west of Telegraph and south of Long Lake. The distribution point will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Identification will be required.
• Commerce Township - The Commerce Township City Hall and Library are closed today due to the water main break.
• West Bloomfield  - Township offices are closed until Thursday due to the water issues. An emergency center has been set up at the fire station on Maple Road west of Middlebelt.  In addition, the township is asking residents to restrict water use as a way to help maintain some water pressure.
• Twelve Oaks Mall - The general manager at 12 Oaks Mall in Novi says they have water and are open and operating as normal. He is staying in touch with city officials.
• Bottled water selling out - Stores in the affected communities have a limited stock of bottled and jugged water to sell; and some are sold out. Call first.
• Bingham Farms - The Village is receiving a number of calls regarding the water main break -- and they want residents to know that Bingham Farms is NOT affected and is NOT under a boil water advisory.
• Novi Fire Department - The Novi Fire Department says residents need not worry about a response in the event of a house fire during the water shortage. Fire Captain Mark Theisen says they have a "Tanker Strike Team" set up with surrounding communities, including Milford, Wixom, and Lyon Township.
• Novi Lakes Health Care Campus - There are always "stories" to be discovered during extreme circumstances, and it's true with the water main break in Farmington Hills. Jason Bogota is a worker at the Novi Lakes Health Care Campus for Seniors; On his way from home in Garden City, he head of the water shut off in Novi, and stopped at a store on Grand River to buy water and orange juice for the seniors.
• Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital - Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital addressed how the water main situation is affecting their facility. The hospital trucked in sanitized water to take of their needs, but the challenge to came when they lost water pressure which affects things like heat and flushing toilets. Bob Riney, president of Healthcare Operations for Henry Ford Health System, said they transferred 15 of their most critically ill patients to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit as a precaution. The hospital has also closed its emergency department to ambulances. Elective surgeries have been canceled.
• Suburban Showplace - Try hosting guests from all over the world for three days -- with no water. Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi is hosting the Automotive Testing Expo, which has shows in China, India, South Korea and Germany. The only U.S. show is in Novi -- and it started the day "the water went dry." Blair Bowman, who operates the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, said they've brought in port-a-johns and bottled water for the events, and a portable shower facility for guests at the on-site Hyatt Place Hotel.
• Phony Evacuation Orders - Authorities in Oakland County are warning of an impostor claiming to be from the county's Emergency Operations Center. The phony-employee has been calling people dealing with the big water main break telling them they have to evacuate. However, there are no evacuation orders. Officials say contact county officials directly if you receive any calls of this nature.

[MORE: Water Emergency In 12 Oakland County Communities]