Atlanta’s water main breaks: Here’s everything we know

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Since Friday, Atlanta has been dealing with several water main breaks that have impacted water service and triggered a boil water advisory.

Here’s everything we know about the situation.

So far, there have been two major water main breaks and a handful of smaller ones.

The first took place Friday morning at the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW and P. Brawley Parkway. The pipe carries a large amount of water through the city and has broken due to age-related rot and corrosion, according to Atlanta Watershed Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr.

The second occurred Friday evening at the intersection of 11th Street and West Peachtree Street NW. Officials said the two major water main breaks were not related.

Crews were also called to repair some small breaks, including those on Atlantic Drive NW, Beechwood Drive NW and Havenridge Drive NW.

Water main breaks affected several residences, office buildings, businesses and other public infrastructure.

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

Grady Memorial Hospital and Emory University Hospital in Midtown reported low water pressure and water shortages, but service has since been restored, according to Wiggins Jr.

Water shortages even delayed a sold-out concert by the wildly popular Megan Thee Stallion at State Farm Arena.

Currently, yes.

On Saturday afternoon, officials expanded the advisory to part of Midtown. The Department of Watershed Management says the advisory will remain in effect until samples come back clear.

People needing water can pick up one box per resident at the following fire stations:

Station 1: 71 Elliot Street.

Station 2: 1568 Jonesboro Road.

Station 10: 447 Boulevard SE

Station 16: 1048 Joseph E Boone Boulevard.

Nobody knows.

At a news conference Saturday, Wiggins Jr. said crews designed a new fitting for the pipe tied to the first water main break. Once installed, the system will need to be slowly repressurized.

Wiggins Jr. did not offer an estimate of how long the process might take.

“Sometimes we say, ‘Going slower is going faster,’” the commissioner said. “Certainly, we understand the urgency of restoring water service, but we also want to make sure we do it in a way that does not result in further regression of our work. »

Crews are also still working to repair the second major break at 11th Street and West Peachtree Street NW.

1:44 p.m. | The Watershed Department has issued a new boil water advisory. This map extends further into Midtown than the previous one.

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