LATEST UPDATES: Everything we know about Atlanta’s water main breaks; boil water advisory map (2024)

Published: Jun. 1, 2024 at 1:46 PM EDT|Updated: Jun. 5, 2024 at 11:31 AM EDT

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First)—After days of interruptions and dry faucets, Atlanta’s water service has been fully restored, the city announced Wednesday morning.

Since Friday, Atlanta has been battling several water main breaks, which impacted water service and kicked off a water boil advisory. The advisory is still in effect out of an abundance of caution.

Here is everything we know about the situation.

>> VIEW INTERACTIVE BOIL WATER ADVISORY MAP HERE

There were two major water main breaks and a handful of smaller ones.

The first was on Friday morning at the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW and James P. Brawley Drive. The pipe carries a large amount of water through the city and broke due to age-related decay and corrosion, according to Atlanta Watershed Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr.

The department said Saturday evening that the broken main had been repaired. The water system then had to be repressurized slowly to prevent further issues with the system.

The second broken main was on Friday night at the intersection of 11th Street and West Peachtree Street NW. It was repaired as of Wednesday morning.

Officials said the two major water main breaks are not related.

Crews have also been called out to address a few smaller breaks, including those on Atlantic Drive NW, Beechwood Drive NW and Havenridge Drive NW.

The water main breaks affected several homes, office buildings, businesses and other public infrastructure.

On Friday, government buildings like the Georgia State Capitol, the Georgia Supreme Court and Atlanta City Hall were without water. Downtown Atlanta mainstays like the Georgia Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, World of Coca-Cola and College Football Hall of Fame also closed.

Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown reported low water pressure and a water shortage, but service has since been restored, according to Wiggins Jr. Both hospitals were operating normally by Monday.

The water shortages even canceled State Farm Arena concerts by the ever-popular Megan Thee Stallion.

On Saturday night, Mayor Andre Dickens declared a state of emergency for Atlanta. Dickens said the declaration will allow the city to “access resources in an expedited fashion.”

Currently, yes.

Initially, there was a boil water advisory for many parts of Atlanta. On Saturday afternoon, officials extended the advisory into part of Midtown, which remains under effect.

On Monday night, the boil water advisory was lifted for the area affected by the initial water main break, including Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and J.P. Brawley Drive.

Click here for a detailed map to see if you still fall under a boil water advisory. Click here to learn what to do during a boil water advisory.

People in need of water can pick up one case per resident at the following fire stations:

• Station 1: 71 Elliot St.
• Station 2: 1568 Jonesboro Rd.
• Station 10: 447 Boulevard SE
• Station 11: 165 16th St.
• Station 15: 170 10th St.
• Station 16: 1048 Joseph E Boone Blvd.

Port-a-potties are also available at those stations.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department also distributed water at the following locations on Tuesday, June 4, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.:

• W. Peachtree and 10th Street
• W. Peachtree and 12th Street
• Peachtree Walk and 11th Street

DeKalb County residents can pick up water at the Atlanta-DeKalb Human Services Complex at 30 Warren Street.

According to the city, water service has been fully restored as of Wednesday morning.

The Department of Watershed Management said Saturday evening that the break at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and James P. Brawley Drive had been repaired. The second major break at 11th Street and West Peachtree Street NW has also been fixed, with the system slowly repressurizing.

“We are pleased to announce that water service has been fully restored across our city. Our dedicated teams have worked tirelessly to resolve the issue, and I applaud them for their service,” Dickens said in a statement. “We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our residents and businesses during this challenging time. Together, we have demonstrated the resilience that defines our city.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Dickens previously said crews are working nonstop to fix the issues.

Wednesday, June 5

9:45 a.m. | Mayor Andre Dickens and city officials speak:

While the water is back on, the boil water advisory isn’t expected to be lifted for another 18 hours.

Atlanta Watershed Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr. said the shutoff valve was directly under the water main break on West Peachtree Street and 11th Street, which prevented crews from seeing and using it. That’s when crews manually plugged pipes at three different locations to stop the water and make repairs.

Now, officials are working on preventing future breaks. Wiggins Jr. said the city will plant more than 20 new AI-powered devices designed to detect leaks across the water system in Midtown as of next week. The city is also working with the Army Corps of Engineers to come up with a city-wide water strategy.

“Our residents should not be worried at all,” Wiggins Jr. said. “This is a unique set of circ*mstances, and we want everyone to feel comfortable that we have the situation under control.”

The mayor apologized again for the city’s lack of communication during the first 24 hours as the water mains broke.

“We were looking for the moment to say, ‘It’s all done. It’s gonna be OK,’” Dickens said while dusting his hands off. “We learned that. We won’t learn it again.”

He also spoke of a $5 million recovery fund to help businesses impacted by water main breaks. Dickens said more details on the fund will be released soon.

9:39 a.m. | Crews have turned off and are repairing a 12-inch main near 2323 Piedmont Avenue NE due to a break. The outage is impacting one apartment complex and one fire hydrant.

7:33 a.m. | Crews have completed repairs on the water main break at the intersection of West Peachtree Street and 11th Street. Water service has been restored to Midtown, and the system is slowly being repressurized, the city said.

The boil water advisory is still in effect “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The City of Atlanta apologizes to those affected by this unexpected disruption,” the city said in a statement. “We know how important water is to our citizens’ daily lives and understand your frustrations with the situation. Therefore, the City of Atlanta extends its gratitude to you for bearing with us during this time.”

Tuesday, June 4

8:30 p.m. | Water service returned to the Marriott Residence Inn and the Eleventh Street Pub.

8:20 p.m. | A 30-inch pipe has been successfully lowered into the ground on West Peachtree Street and 11th Street, according to city officials. Crews proceeded with installation and other steps to restore water service, and repairs are ongoing. City officials said the water system is expected to return to normal operation between 7 and 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The boil water advisory still stands for the areas within the red boundary in the map below:

6:50 p.m. | Atlanta Public Schools has decided to cancel summer schools and programs for a third day.

4:45 p.m. | Construction crews told Atlanta News First that a pipe removed from Midtown was from 1883.

4:20 p.m. | The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it is working with the city to “investigate the viability of doing a planning assistance to states to perform a full physical and operational assessment of the entire water system.”

4:15 p.m. | The Watershed Department is investigating a potential water main break on Martin Luther King Drive and Bakers Ferry Road SW. They said a contractor hit a line.

Transportation officials say one lane is closed along S.R. 139/Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW between Fairburn Road SW and Adamsville Drive SW. The lane will stay closed until the water recedes and repairs are made, which they estimate should be done by 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

2:30 p.m. | The city’s Watershed Department closed a part of West Peachtree Street NE to complete repairs to a water main. It is closed from 10th Street NE to 12th Street NE. The city is asking pedestrians to avoid the construction area.

10:40 a.m. | The Fulton County Board of Health announced its 10 Park Place offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday, June 4, due to the “ongoing disruption of water service.” All other FCBOH offices have reopened and will operate under normal business hours.

6:21 a.m. | Atlanta Watershed posted on X that the last piece of pipe was lowered down and crews were preparing to install it at W Peachtree and 11th streets. W. Peachtree Street NE from north of 10th Street NE to 12th Street NE will remain closed until the repair is completed.

Monday, June 3

8 p.m. | Atlanta Public Schools has canceled summer school and other programs for Tuesday because of the water main breaks.

7 p.m. | The boil water advisory for the area affected by the water main break at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and J.P. Brawley Drive has been lifted. The advisory remains for the Midtown area near West Peachtree and 11th Street and neighborhoods in East Atlanta. Atlanta officials said there’s a normal 18-hour waiting period in which the watershed department monitors the safety of water after a main break before a boil water advisory is lifted.

6:40 p.m. | Dickens said at Monday’s city council meeting that the city has asked the Army Corps of Engineers to come to Atlanta to help assist the city in identifying and addressing the issues with the current water system. The mayor said the Army Corps of Engineers will be on the ground Tuesday.

6 p.m. | Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens speaks at the city council meeting.

4:55 p.m. | The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management said a water service interruption was reported near 472 Gartrell Street SE. Watershed officials said crews turned off a 6-inch main to do emergency repairs. Four homes, an apartment complex and three hydrants are affected.

4:20 p.m. | The watershed commissioner told city council members during its meeting that he hopes to have water restored to impacted areas in Midtown by “tonight.”

3:55 p.m. | Over 24,000 bottles have been delivered to 3,750 residents at multiple senior living centers since the weekend, according to Atlanta Public Works:

10:30 a.m. | City leaders spoke on the water main issue:

7:45 a.m. | Atlanta Public Schools cancels its summer school and summer programs for Monday due to the ongoing water issues.

“Please be advised of operational changes due to the water main breakages impacting the city. Summer school and summer programs will not be held tomorrow but will reconvene once the boil water advisories have been lifted,” the school system wrote in a letter to parents. “Additionally, all employees, except for essential facilities staff, should plan to work remotely tomorrow, June 3, 2024.”

6:56 a.m. | Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens posted a video of his overnight visit to the site on West Peachtree Street.

12:29 a.m. | Essential emergency repairs will be conducted on West Peachtree Street and 11th Street on Monday starting at 1 a.m., resulting in a temporary interruption of water service on 11th Street from West Peachtree Street to Peachtree Street and on West Peachtree Street from 10th to 12th streets.

If you are located within this zone and need water, please visit one of the two AFRD fire stations: Station 11 - 165 16th Street - Atlantic Station; and Station 15 - 170 10th Street - Midtown.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to avoid the area if possible.

Sunday, June 2

5:21 p.m. | Water service has been restored at Grady Memorial Hospital, according to management. The hospital will resume normal operations tomorrow.

5:19 p.m. | Emergency repairs have been finished on the break near Euclid Avenue NE and North Avenue NE, according to the Department of Watershed Management.

4:33 p.m. | Fulton County Board of Health locations at 10 Park Place, 141 Pryor Street, 265 Boulevard and 186 Sunset Ave NW will remain closed Monday.

3:57 p.m. | Emory University Hospital Midtown said water pressure has been returned to the hospital. The hospital is now accepting normal service from ambulances and is “moving to normal operations.”

The hospital said it “will continue to provide bottled water to patients, visitors and staff while the hospital remains under a boil water advisory.”

Appointments and procedures scheduled for tomorrow will happen as scheduled.

3:02 p.m. | Watershed Management said the 6-inch water main near the intersection of Euclid Avenue NE and North Avenue NE in Candler Park has been turned off while crews make emergency repairs to it.

The department said the shutoff is causing a water outage affecting 35 homes and four hydrants.

1:46 p.m. | Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market both announced that they’re open Sunday.

12:48 p.m. | Watershed Management said two new potential water main breaks are being investigated.

The department said one potential break is being investigated near the intersection of Euclid Avenue NE and North Avenue NE in Candler Park, and the other is being investigated near 1190 Atlantic Dr. NW — the same location where a water main break was repaired Saturday.

They said a temporary disruption of water service for residences and businesses may occur in the locations.

12:28 p.m. | In an update around noon Sunday, the Department of Watershed Management said crews continue to repair the broken water main at the intersection of West Peachtree Street and 11th Street in Midtown.

“They have made significant progress in localizing the repairs,” the department wrote. “There have been no water service disruptions, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to prevent such disruptions for residents in the area. Traffic control measures remain in place, so motorists and pedestrians are strongly advised to avoid the area.”

“Out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Georgia EPD (Environmental Protection Division) guidance, the boil water advisory remains in effect for residents and businesses in the impacted areas,” the department continued.

The department said after the broken water main at Joseph E. Boone Blvd and J.P. Brawley Dr. was repaired Saturday, water service was fully restored to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Fulton County Jail, Atlanta City Detention Center and “many of Atlanta’s critical facilities, and residents, including several senior high-rise buildings.”

The department added: “Additionally, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena now have water service, and scheduled events will occur as planned.”

The department said it will follow its line flushing protocols for the system as a precaution. It’s begun sampling the affected zones in the Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and J.P. Brawley Drive area to confirm no contamination.

They said the Georgia Environmental Protection Division will advise the department on when the boil water advisory can be lifted.

“If you are an Atlanta resident in need of water, please visit one of six designated AFRD fire stations: • Station 1 – 71 Elliott Street • Station 2 – 1568 Jonesboro Rd. • Station 10 – 447 Boulevard • Station 11 – 165 16th St. • Station 15 – 170 10th St. • Station 16 – 1048 Joseph E. Boone Blvd,” the department wrote.

11:15 a.m. | The City of Atlanta posted on X: “We are currently working on getting more water delivered to all stations. At this time, we have water at Stations 1 & 16.”

Station 1 is located at 71 Elliot Street, and Station 16 is at 1048 Joseph E Boone Blvd.

City officials are asking people to pick up one case per resident.

11:02 a.m. | The Children’s Museum of Atlanta announced it’s back open Sunday with normal hours.

The World of Coca-Cola is also open today. The museum said that while the area is under a boil water advisory, the Taste It! and Beverage Lab tasting experiences are not in operation. To accommodate those closures until the boil water advisory is lifted, the museum is offering discounted tickets for entry when purchased at the ticketing booth on site.

The College Football Hall of Fame is open today during normal business hours.

The Georgia Aquarium is open as scheduled. Guests with tickets for May 31 or June 1 may exchange them to visit Sunday, June 2

Zoo Atlanta is also open. The zoo’s location remains under the boil water advisory, so some of their beverage options may be limited, they said.

10:22 a.m. | Watershed Management is offering some helpful tips to anyone who may be experiencing water discoloration.

The department said: “While the water is safe to use for cooking and cleaning, DWM recommends not drinking or doing laundry until the water is clear as clothes can become stained.

“Flushing the cold water pipes in your home or business usually clears up the discolored water and will allow trapped air to be released. After water main repair work is completed in your area, follow these steps to flush the cold-water lines in your home or business.

Run cold water taps for about five minutes or until the water runs clear.

• Begin with the lowest faucet in your home or business and then open the other faucets one at a time, moving from your lowest floor to your highest.
• Once the water runs clear, usually in five minutes or less, turn off your faucets in the same order, lowest to highest.
• You should also flush your refrigerator’s water lines.

For more information, please visit www.atlantawatershed.org, and connect with DWM on Facebook, Instagram, and X @ATLWatershed.”

9:19 a.m. | Atlanta News First captured footage of tanker trucks pumping water to Grady Memorial Hospital.

8:40 a.m. | Atlanta News First captured footage of water gushing out near the broken main on West Peachtree Street and 11th Street as crews continue working on repairs.

8:04 a.m. | Atlanta United announced it will hold its match against Charlotte FC today as scheduled.

“Due to the boil water advisory, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have limited food and beverage options,” the team wrote in a social media post. “We ask all fans to utilize hand sanitizing stations around the stadium as an added precaution for health and safety. We understand the inconvenience this situation may cause and appreciate the patience and understanding of our fans and supporters.”

8:01 a.m. | The Department of Watershed Management said in a social media post around 8 a.m. that crews continue to make progress on the broken water main at West Peachtree Street and 11th Street “while monitoring water pressures in the line.” The department said drivers and pedestrians should avoid the area.

7:38 a.m. | The Savannah College of Art and Design announced that it’s moving its graduation ceremony at 1 p.m. today from the Georgia World Congress Center to SCADshow on Spring Street due to the water main issues.

7:15 a.m. | The Department of Watershed Management said around midnight that crews will work through the night to repair the broken water main at West Peachtree Street and 11th Street.

“Traffic control measures are in place around the work zone. Motorists and pedestrians should avoid the area,” the department said in a statement.

The department said around 4:30 a.m. that the boil advisory is still in effect out of an abundance of caution.

Saturday, June 1

11:48 p.m. | West Peachtree Street is closed between 10th and 14th Streets.

10:09 p.m. | The Georgia Aquarium will reopen for its normal hours on Sunday.

9:45 p.m. | A state of emergency has been declared in the city of Atlanta, according to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

The declaration will allow the city to “access resources in an expedited fashion,” according to the mayor.

9:05 p.m. | Emergency repairs have been completed near 1190 Atlantic Drive NW and 775 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. NW, according to the Department of Watershed Management.

8:18 p.m. | The Atlanta Department of Transportation has announced new road closures.

6:47 p.m. | According to the Department of Watershed Management, the break at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and James P. Brawley Drive has been repaired. The boil water advisory is still in effect.

6:45 p.m. | Saturday’s Megan Thee Stallion concert at State Farm Arena has been canceled due to water main breaks in downtown Atlanta.

Tonight’s show was to have been the second of two shows in Atlanta on the rapper’s summer tour; Friday’s show was previously canceled due to the water main breaks and rescheduled to Sunday. According to arena management, that show will take place as scheduled.

6:15 p.m. | The Department of Watershed Management said the pressurization of the break near Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and James P. Brawley Drive should begin in the next few hours.

6:04 p.m. | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is experiencing “decreased water pressure in some restrooms.”

5:15 p.m. | Emory University Hospital Midtown is now diverting some ambulances and moving certain patients to other Emory hospitals.

The hospital is still accepting ambulances carrying patients with urgent heart concerns and patients who walk in or drive to the emergency room. All other ambulances are being diverted unless Emory University Hospital Midtown is a last resort.

Many outpatient appointments have been rescheduled or moved to a different location and some lab testing has been moved to other Emory hospitals.

Tanker trucks are bringing water to the hospital to keep the building’s air conditioning running.

2:20 p.m. | During a press conference, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens apologized for the way the city has handled the water main breaks. He promised updates every two hours until the situation is resolved.

“We apologize profusely for this disruption into life in the city of Atlanta,” he said. “I will be candid: Overnight, we did not do the best job of communicating. We could’ve done a better job over the past day, and for that, I apologize.”

You can sign up for the city’s emergency alert system by texting NOTIFYATL to 888-777.

Fire department and police officials also said that firefighters and officers are canvassing areas to help the elderly, people in hotels or anyone else who needs aid.

1:44 p.m. | The watershed department has released a new boil water advisory. This map extends further into Midtown than the last one did.

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