Update: City officials have elevated the initial water-use emergency. All use of water for purposes other than maintenance of public health and safety shall be prohibited. Residential water use shall be limited to the amount necessary to sustain life through drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene.

BAY CITY, MI — Bay City's water plant could be out of water by tomorrow if crews cannot find the source of a broken water main.

Dave Harran, the city's public works director, said Sunday, Aug. 10, that crews are now heading to Bay City's neighboring townships to search for the break, after searching through the night. A majority of Bay County draws its water from the city.

"This is urgent," he said. "If we run out of water, then we go on boil alert. It's not a good situation right now.

"Because of the water loss, it's bleeding the system and all of our water reserves will be exhausted."

The city is currently under a water-use emergency, banning non-essential use of drinking water, such was watering lawns or washing cars. City water officials were alerted of a major water main break at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.

Harran expects that the emergency could be elevated within the next hour to a no-water emergency. A no-water emergency means residents would be asked to only drink tap water for emergency situations.

Crews across Bay County are looking for the source of the break following an 8 a.m. meeting Sunday. They are also asking the public for help. Anyone who sees water in a place where it is usually not seen is asked to call 989-686-8300.

Harran added that if water pressure at the water plant goes below 25 PSI, a boil alert will go into effect because the system could be compromised at that point. At that time, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality becomes involved.

"If we get to that point, then things are very serious," he said.