Ames health facilities are successfully coping with the flood and boil water alert.

Mary Greeley Medical Center staff members are working around the clock to maintain operations under near-normal conditions.

Usually, MGMC consumes around 80,000 gallons of water each day, so not having safe water to use presented a unique challenge to staff and patients alike. Safeguard Iowa Partnership and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management along with MGMC’s water vendors brought enough water to the medical center to keep people from going thirsty.

Green Hills Retirement Community also obtained extra water. The community had enough to water to last through Wednesday, but its four vendors brought more on Thursday.

“We’re not normally coming to them asking for gallons and gallons of water,” Green Hills administrator Rod Copple said.

Both MGMC and Green Hills have normal water pressure, but they are taking necessary measures to conserve water.

“For our independent residents, we turned off the washing machines,” Copple said. “In the health care center, our residents’ skin is more compromised, and they need water for many things, so we are purchasing water to meet those needs.”

He added that while the dietary menu has not changed due to water shortages, the facility has switched to using plastic, disposable dishes.

“It’s just like you’re camping,” Copple said.

MGMC has had to transport dialysis patients to other facilities at Marshalltown and Iowa Falls. Heartland Senior Services stepped up to transport patients and nurses. Otherwise, the center is caring for patients as it normally would.

Copple said most residents at Green Hills aren’t bothered by the flood.

“Today we delivered six gallons to each person in the facility,” he said. “All are very thankful. We’ve received calls and e-mails from family members who are thankful for all we’re doing to take care of everyone here.”

Brian Dieter, MGMC’s president and CEO, said, “I am tremendously proud of the medical center’s staff and volunteers who responded with poise and control under the stress of blocked-off roads, impassible streets and limited water supplies. MGMC is monitoring the situation very closely, working together with the city authorities to help those who need help and ensure the normal operations of the medical center until the city resolves problems with the water main breaks.”