ATLANTA — Residents in Atlanta no longer must boil water before drinking it, officials said Thursday, six days after a water main break west of downtown affected service and spurred the advisory.
Normal water flow and pressure was restored citywide on Wednesday, but more time was required to test for bacteria to ensure the water was safe to drink.
The first rupture took place Friday and was repaired on Saturday. A second leak that began later Friday wasn’t fixed until Tuesday.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Wednesday that he would support a plan to spend $5 million to reimburse businesses for losses during the water outage. He also promised an assessment of the city’s infrastructure and to deploy monitors to detect leaking pipes.
The boil-water advisory never covered the whole city, and it was lifted for most affected areas on Monday. But it remained in place for downtown and Midtown Atlanta as well as some neighborhoods to the east.
Atlanta’s water outages are the latest example of failing infrastructure across the country. A 2022 crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, which has a long-troubled water system, left many residents without safe running water for weeks. Other cities including Flint, Michigan, have also struggled to supply residents with safe drinking water.
The first-term Democratic mayor has been under fire for Atlanta’s response to the leaks, especially because Dickens left town after the first major leak to travel to Memphis, Tennessee, where he held a fundraiser for his 2025 reelection campaign and met with that city’s leaders to discuss crime and other issues.
Dickens’ administration said it wasn’t clear that the first leak west of downtown would create a major disruption when he proceeded with the trip. A second major leak in the city’s Midtown neighborhood began later Friday.
Atlanta’s Boil-Water Advisory Lifted Following Water System Issues
Residents of Atlanta can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the city’s boil-water advisory has been lifted after several days of uncertainty. The advisory was put in place due to issues with the city’s water system, which caused concerns about the safety of the drinking water.
The problems began when a major water main break occurred, leading to a loss of water pressure in some parts of the city. This loss of pressure can allow contaminants to enter the water system, posing a potential health risk to residents. As a precautionary measure, the city issued a boil-water advisory, urging residents to boil their water before consuming it.
The advisory caused inconvenience for many residents, who had to rely on bottled water for drinking and cooking. Restaurants and businesses also faced challenges, with some having to close or alter their operations due to the lack of safe water.
Fortunately, after days of working to repair the water main and conducting extensive testing, officials have determined that the water is now safe to drink without boiling. The advisory has been lifted, and residents can resume normal water usage.
While the situation has been resolved, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and investing in infrastructure. Aging water systems can be prone to breaks and other issues, putting public health at risk. Cities like Atlanta must continue to prioritize infrastructure improvements to prevent future incidents.
In the meantime, residents can rest assured that their water is safe to drink once again. It’s always a good idea to stay informed about water advisories and take precautions when necessary. By working together and staying vigilant, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.
