COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Update: A water boil advisory was lifted for large parts of south Cobb County on Saturday morning, according to the county government following testing.
Cobb County Water System said that some residents may experience low-pressure or discolored water but to just cut on the cold water faucet and let it run for several minutes.
Original story:
The 36” water main, owned by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA), experienced a rupture early Friday morning, leading to a temporary loss of pressure in both the CCMWA and Cobb County water systems.
The affected area is near Macedonia Road and Red Rose Drive in Cobb County.
In a statement, the school district said its impacts on schools would be minimal.
“Cobb Schools is prepared for situations like the current boil water advisory for the South Cobb area. Thanks to our backup water protocols, we are able to cook meals safely without interruption, and students will have access to bottle-filling stations with filtered water. Fountains without filters will be temporarily unavailable.”
At Casa Grande Restaurant on the East-West Expressway, manager Carl Moore and his staff are taking it all in stride.
“We have ice that has come in from also outside from vendors, so I have a company that we’ve actually been bringing in. We’re using the ice there," Moore said.
One resident in south Cobb County said she hopes to get the all-clear sooner rather than later.
“I do hope it’s over with soon so that we can just start getting it from the fridge and back to normal. Back to normal," resident Trina Henderson added.
Areas under Boil Water Advisory
Portions of south Cobb County, including the cities of Powder Springs, Austell, Mableton, and sections of Marietta and Smyrna. The county government provided a map that can be seen below:
When to Boil Water
Residents are advised to boil water before consumption, including cooking. This extends to water used in appliances like coffee makers or ice machines.
However, boiling tap water is not necessary for other household activities such as showering, laundry, or bathing. Adults, teens and older children can wash, bathe, or shower, but caution is advised against swallowing the water. Toddlers and infants should be sponge-bathed.
Tips on properly boiling water during advisory
To kill off any disease-causing organisms, water should be boiled in a heat-resistant container or an electric kettle without an automatic shut-off. Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. Alternatively, water can be boiled in a microwave-safe container in a microwave oven. Including a glass rod or a wooden/plastic stir stick is advisable to prevent superheated water formation. After boiling, cool the water and transfer it to a clean container or refrigerate it until ready to use.
The county said they do not believe their system lost complete pressure and plan to conduct a test that will be completed in 24 hours; if they are clear, the advisory will be lifted.