Atlanta water main breaks impact Emory Hospital operations

Emory University Hospital in Midtown experienced changes in operations on June 1 due to two large water mains breaks near Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW that occurred May 31, forcing the hospital to move some patients and divert ambulance traffic, according to a news release from Emory Healthcare. Four water breaks LEFT facilities and buildings in the south Atlanta area without a reliable water source and low water pressure.

The hospital resumed normal operations on June 2. Atlanta Watershed announcement on the evening of June 1, they finished repairing the broken water main. Atlanta later survey the boil water advisory for areas affected by the main break near Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW on June 3.

According to the Emory Healthcare statement, the emergency department diverted ambulance traffic, except for patients with urgent cardiac issues, to accommodate the main break. The hospital was still accepting patients who walked or drove to the emergency department as usual, as well as for urgent or urgent surgical cases.

Emory University Hospital in Midtown has modified operations due to two major water main breaks near Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW. Courtesy of Emory University

Emory Healthcare said it has transferred some lab tests and patients requiring dialysis to other Emory hospitals. Most outpatient appointments have also been rescheduled or moved to other Emory locations.

“To keep the hospital cool and the air conditioning operating, 58,000 gallons of water were delivered via six tanker trucks for use in the hospital’s chillers and cooling towers,” Emory wrote Healthcare. “Water is provided by a local fire department and delivered by a tanker company.”

The hospital also distributed bottled water to patients, and food service staff limited menu options but continued to adhere to food preparation guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the release .

Emory Healthcare added that Emory Hospital in Midtown will continue to provide “safe, quality care” to patients.

“Our teams are working around the clock to care for patients during this difficult time,” the statement said. “We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes to patients, families and visitors. »

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a boil water advisory. Press release on June 1, stating that the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management was repairing water main breaks on a 48-inch and 36-inch transmission line. He advised residents and homeowners to boil their water before using it and discouraged drinking from public fountains in the affected area.

Some residents Express that they were confused about the city’s updates. An user commented on

“We are lucky enough to be able to go to other neighborhoods and buy gallons of water to use,” the user wrote in their post. “Not everyone has that luxury.”

In a speech to Atlanta residents on June 1, Dickens apologized for Atlanta’s response and said the city “hasn’t done the best job of communicating.” He said the city will provide updates at least every two hours until the problem is resolved.

An inefficient alignment of three main lines intersecting at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW and James P. Brawley Drive NW cause the water breaks. This comes after a broken water pipe earlier this year on the 800 block of McLendon Drive, which caused water discoloration issues in Harris Hall.