Boil Water Advisory Remains In Effect For Portions Of Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA -- While the drinking water system served by the Hemphill Water Treatment Plan has returned to normal operations following a power outage, the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is still urging its customers to adhere to the boil water advisory issued early Thursday morning.

The power outage at the Hemphill High Service Pump Station triggered a temporary loss of pressure in portion of the system served by the water treatment plant. The department said the system was restored to normal operations and water pressure within 40 minutes of the outage.

However, the advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution and in accordance to Georgia Environmental Protection Division guidelines. Downtown Atlanta and areas just to the south, including parts of South Fulton County, east to Moreland Avenue and west of downtown may have experienced a loss of water pressure.

Streets and neighborhoods impacted by the boil water advisory include, but are not limited to Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, West End, Peoplestown, Reynoldstown, Mechanicsville, Summerhill, Edgewood, Avon Avenue and South Fulton County.

All residents and property owners who have experienced water outages and/or low water pressure are advised to boil all water prior to use, or use bottled water, for drinking, cooking, preparing baby food or brushing teeth.

The water should be boiled for one minute past a rolling boil. Infants, the elderly and those with immune deficiencies should be particularly cautious. Do not drink water from public water fountains in the impacted area. Vigorous hand washing or showers with soap and tap water should be safe for basic personal hygiene. However, if washing hands to prepare food, use boiled (then cooled) water along with hand washing soap.

If you experienced a loss of water at your address but your address is not within the area described, the city recommends you follow these precautions.

The Department of Watershed Management will follow its flushing protocols for the system as a precaution and has sampled the affected zones to affirm that there is no contamination in the system. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will inform the local department when it can lift the advisory.

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