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Atlanta declares state of emergency, rushes to repair days-long water main breaks

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Georgia’s capital, Atlanta, declared a state of emergency as it dealt with several major water main breaks since Friday, according to news releases.

“We have declared a state of emergency in the city of Atlanta to allow us to access resources in an expedited manner,” Mayor Andre Dickens told reporters at a news conference Sunday.

City officials announced a water main break affecting a 48-inch water line and a 36-inch water line around 12:20 p.m. Friday on Facebook and X. The break occurred at the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and JP Brawley and was still under repair nearly 24 hours later, according to an update.

The break required a precautionary boil water advisory. Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) repair crews completed repairs Saturday, according to another update. However, the boil water advisory remained in effect. Aging infrastructure appears to be a factor in the incident, according to the update.

A second water main break occurred at 11th & West Peachtree. Repair crews – who had “worked aggressively around the clock” during the first break – began work on the second Saturday and were expected to work through the night into Sunday, according to another statement. Repairs continued Sunday morning.

Crews also investigated a third potential rupture near 1190 Atlantic Dr. NW and a fourth potential rupture near the Euclid Ave intersection. NE and North Ave. BORN. Water supplies were restored within three hours to all 35 homes and four hydrants affected by emergency repairs during the fourth outage, according to another update.

The repairs interrupted water service to residents and businesses. City authorities directed residents to four fire stations. One of them, Station 10, ran out of water, another update revealed. “One case per inhabitant,” advised the authorities, rationing the supply. (RELATED: Huge sinkhole swallows intersection in major US city)

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion postponed her May 31 concert at the city’s State Farm Arena until Sunday due to the situation.

The water cuts have angered residents.

“This is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!” There are SEVERAL hotels and residences without water. We can’t bathe, brush our teeth or flush the toilet!!! It’s been almost 24 hours,” the response to the city read in part.

“27 hours after the water stopped working. It took you TWENTY-SEVEN hours to provide what is literally a necessity to sustain life. We have officially lost the plot,” one posted in response to a Saturday update directing residents to fire stations.

“What about residents who can’t fetch water, what’s the plan?” asked another.

“Atl utd game and Meg concert, you better do it in the morning,” another posted after midnight on Sunday.

Mayor Dickens apologized to city residents on Saturday. “Overnight we didn’t do the best job of communicating,” he told reporters. “We could have done a better job over the past day and I apologize for that (sic) why we were unable to provide you with as much up-to-date information as possible.

The Georgia Department of Emergency Management was involved in responding to the crisis, Mayor Dickens told reporters. Some 10,500 people in more than 30 senior communities, homeless shelters, hospitals and other city centers housing vulnerable populations received bottled water and flushing water, he said. -he adds.

The boil water advisory was still in effect Sunday afternoon.

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