Atlanta’s water mains break, affecting thousands

ATLANTA (NBC, KYMA/KECY) – Thousands of people in Atlanta are still dealing with the impacts of several major water main breaks.

Boil water advisories have been extended to much of the city. Crews are working around the clock to repair broken water pipes.

Emory Midtown Hospital announced Saturday that it was transferring some of its patients to other Emory hospitals for treatment. The hospital uses six tanker trucks to deliver 58,000 gallons of water to keep the hospital’s cooling towers running smoothly and the air conditioning running smoothly.

Atlanta Mayor Andrew Dickens held a news conference Saturday and apologized to residents for what he described as a lack of communication about state controls over water main breaks .

“My administration understands very clearly the importance of the city’s water supply. This water is a precious and essential resource. Cities cannot function and lives cannot function without it. It is absolutely at the top of the list. our list.”

Mayor Andrew Dickens

City officials say they don’t know when full water service will return, and the city has set up several water distribution sites for people affected by the water main breaks.