FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Residents and businesses in Forsyth County are under a boil water advisory following damage to a major water main, according to a post from the county's government on Facebook.
The advisory began on Tuesday night at around 9 p.m. It's affected county water customers on Holtzclaw Road between Pilgrim Mill Road and Holtzclaw Drive and nearby streets and locations.
Authorities said the advisory extends to Chattahoochee Road between Holtzclaw Road and Stone Creek Circle, impacting Fire Station 5 and Chattahoochee Elementary School. Additional streets affected by the outage are:
- Poplar Lane
- Maple Lane
- Forest Circle
- Cherry Lane
- Dogwood Circle
- Southlake Lane, Dr, Ct, and Circle
- Adams Road
- Duckcove Way
- Lyles Way
- Bishops Walk
- Reserve Overlook Way
- Stone Creek Circle
- Brook Drive
- Dorothy Drive
Boil Water Advisory signs have been posted, and authorities said service was slowly being restored to the area. Residents are urged to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby food for at least one full minute after it reaches a rolling boil.
The advisory will remain in place for at least 48 hours after restoring water service. The Department of Water and Sewer will provide updates as testing continues.
For additional information, contact the Department of Water and Sewer at 770-781-2160. Residents are encouraged to stay updated through official County channels.
FAQs on Boil Water Advisories from the CDC
Here are tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that offer answers to many questions residents may have about following a boil water advisory.
How long should I boil the water?
According to the CDC, residents should bring the water to a full rolling boil for one minute and let it cool after boiling because drinking or touching water that hot is almost certainly a bad idea.
What if the tap water is filtered?
You still need to boil the water.
How about ice?
Don't use that, either. The CDC says it's not a good idea to use water from any appliance connected to your line, such as a refrigerator.
Do I have to boil before washing my hands?
The CDC says that's not necessary in most cases. You can still wash with tap water and soap; just be sure to follow guidance from local health officials.
What if I want to bath or shower?
Be sure not to swallow any water. According to the CDC, as long as you do that, you should be fine. Use caution, though, when bathing kids or babies. The CDC notes that you may want to consider a sponge bath.
And brushing my teeth?
You do need to boil your water in this case or use bottled water.
How about washing dishes, is that safe?
The CDC recommends using disposable plates, cups, and utensils during these circumstances. Dishwashers are safe to use if:
- The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66°Celsius), or
- The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
If you're washing by hand:
- Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
- Add one teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach in a separate basin for each gallon of warm water.
- Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
- Let the dishes air dry completely before using them again.
Will I be able to do laundry?
Yes, it's safe to wash clothes as usual.
And if I'm cleaning things like toys and surfaces?
According to the CDC, be sure to use bottled water, boiled water, or wash that has been disinfected with bleach.
How about my pets? Can they get sick?
Yep, they can still get sick from the same germs as you or, even worse, spread them. Ensure their water is boiled, or give them bottled water.
Do I also need to water my plants with boiled or bottled water?
The CDC says you can use tap water for household plants and gardens.
