Off-colored water came out of the taps at Detroit-based Henry Ford Hospital Wednesday, forcing patients and staff to use bottled water for drinking and hand sanitizer in lieu of hand-washing, according to a statement from the hospital.
The pipes were flushed and chlorinated Wednesday night and the water appears to be back to normal, but the hospital is still using precautions until water test results — from two independent water testing agencies — come back later Thursday.
Toilets are functioning, but ice and water machines are off-limits Thursday. However, "no patient services are affected and all operations are fully operational. We are using sterilized water for all procedures," the hospital statement reads.
The hospital believes the problem originated at a train construction zone, but that has not been confirmed, according to a WXYZ report.