Medical Weight Loss Clinic helps patients access clean water amid water main break

On Aug. 13, a water main break in Burtchville Township, Mich. impacted water delivery to 23 communities in surrounding Oakland and Macomb Counties. A boil water advisory soon followed and residents scrambled to purchase bottled water. What’s more, the advisory has been extended to last until Sept. 3 due to the extent of the damage, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority. 

When the water main break impacted our patients ability to obtain fresh water, our Shelby Township location of Medical Weight Loss Clinic began collecting and distributing free bottles and gallons of water.

Within days, Manager Tracy Stefanides and the staff of the Shelby Township location of Medical Weight Loss Clinic sprang into action to help. They researched where to find clean water, contacted the local fire department and discovered there were pick up locations at three different sites in Shelby Township.

Patients have come in to their appointments expressing a need for fresh water – not just to drink to stay well-hydrated but also to clean and prepare foods. Under the current advisory it’s required that those residents of the impacted areas boil water, then cool it down before consuming it, brushing their teeth or washing fruits and vegetables. 

“The patients are having a difficult time,” Tracy says. “We do not realize how much water is used in our everyday lives until you don't have the accessibility. Having to purchase water to do everyday tasks takes a toll on their finances. They are very thankful and excited when they hear we have water for them to take.”

But the Medical Weight Loss Clinic team wasn’t just providing water, Tracy says, they’re also providing printed maps where patients from three zip code areas can go to pick up the bottled water they need, as well.

“Most of our patients work during the day and by the time they get to the water pickup there is none left,” Tracy explains. “We want to help because that's what a community does for each other. We have heard from patients who have not gotten their water in because of the water break. Problem solved!”

Sigrid Peterson, a regional manager at Medical Weight Loss Clinic, adds: “Tracy has been super pro-active regarding the water advisory in Shelby. They have a good stock pile there and are asking all patients if they are getting in enough water due to advisory - then giving patients water as needed.”

As the water main problem goes on, so do this team’s efforts.

“Every day we hand out water to a patient that needs it and every day we take the time to go get more,” says Tracy.

Anyone in the surrounding area who is not impacted by the water main break but would like to assist is welcome to drop off bottled water to the Shelby Township clinic at 56525 Van Dyke. It will be distributed to those in need.

Learn more about Medical Weight Loss Clinic at mwlc.com or reach out to us 1-800-GET-SLIM.

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When you enroll in a Medical Weight Loss Clinic program, the length of your program will be determined by you and the staff based on the amount of weight you want to lose and how quickly you want to lose it. Your actual weight loss will be determined by many factors, including, but not limited to: your medical circumstances, the plan you choose, adherence to the meal plan and use of nutritional supplements. Your goal and program duration information will be given to you in writing at the time of enrollment. As your program progresses, the rate you lose weight may change and you will have the opportunity to discuss this at every daily visit with your weight loss consultant, where changes to your meal plan and/or program can be made.