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OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WJBK) - The water main break that led to a boil water advisory in several Oakland County Communities could be repaired by Wednesday evening -- but the advisory may not be lifted until Friday. Sections of the replacement parts were delivered to the site Wednesday morning.
About 260,000 residents have to boil their water, while some grocery stores are rationing water. Shoppers are stockingpiling what they can, but most are limited to buying two 24 packs.
More than 50,000 people are without running water. Hospitals are still affected, and some schools are closed again Wednesday for a second day.
Richard Scavo says it's drying out his orthodontics practice.
"We came in this morning and there was no running water in the building so we absolutely couldn't do anything," he said.
The Great Lakes Water Authority is investigating how a 48-inch water transmission line failed Monday. That water main break proved to be both a gift and a curse for businesses.
Hotels are reporting a spike in reservations. Some restaurants were forced to close, others fought to stay open.
"Pretty much everything we had to do with water which is washing the dishes, making the dough, everything. We went and bought big huge gallons today," said Coty Cecil at the Cottage Inn in Novi. "And we're actually out now. It was a hassle. Normally things we could do, we couldn't do."
But as inconvenient as Oakland County's water woes are, many here are mindful that their problems pale in comparison to Flint's water crisis.
Around 4 p.m., the GLWA updated the numbers and said 304,970 Oakland County residents were impacted and 51,380 don't have water.
Where to get safe drinking water in Oakland County
Those under the boil water advisory include:
- Bloomfield Township
- Commerce Township
- Farmington Hills - north of 696
- Keego Harbor
- Novi: city water shut off by Water Authority. Water being given out at Novi Civic Center to elderly residents and those in need
- Novi Township
- Oakland Township: specifically the subdivisions: The Hills of Oakland and Kings Pointe
- Orchard Lake
- Rochester Hills: north of Hamlin and west of Livernois
- Walled Lake
- West Bloomfield Township
- Wixom