ATLANTA — Water service across much of Atlanta and south Fulton County has been restored and a boil water advisory lifted for all affected areas.
According to the Department of Watershed Management, a 36-inch water main at Ferst Drive and Hemphill Avenue on the Georgia Tech campus broke on Saturday. Video shared with 11Alive showed rapids running down area roads as crews worked to get the situation under control.
Speaking to 11Alive Sunday morning, Atlanta Watershed spokesperson William Horton said that the boil water advisory would remain in effect for much of the city and southern Fulton County through at least 7:30 p.m. The announcement that it was lifted came just after 8 p.m.
As a result of the water main break, a large section of the city was without water for part of Saturday. Other areas of the city and parts of south Fulton County also had a reduction of water service.
Late Saturday night, Watershed Management reported that it had "contained" the issue and that service had been restored. However, they said some customers may have noticed lower pressure. And it was this low pressure and the possibility that contaminants may have entered the water that led to the precautionary advisory to boil.
Watershed Management reported that the areas affected by low or no pressure included Atlanta south of 17th Street NW and west of East Lake Drive SE. The cities of South Fulton, Union City, Fairburn and Chattahoochee Hills are also included.
Authorities said Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport wasn't impacted.
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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms initially alerted residents by way of a tweet of the advisory.
Here's what you should do during a boil water advisory:
(Information provided by the CDC)
Boiling water
To boil water
• Fill a pot with water.
• Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
• Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute.
• Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
• Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.
Disinfecting water
If you are unable to boil your water, disinfect it instead.
If tap water is clear:
• Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
• Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon
(16 cups) of water.
• Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
• Store disinfected water in clean container with a cover.
If tap water is cloudy:
• Filter water using clean cloth.
• Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
• Add 1/4 teaspoon (16 drops or 1.5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
• Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
• Store disinfected water in clean container with a cover.
Remember that containers may need to be sanitized before using them to store safe water.
To sanitize containers:
• Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
• Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach in 1 quart (32 ounces, 4 cups, or about 1 liter) of water.
• Pour this sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container.
• Let the clean storage container sit at least 30 seconds, and then pour the solution out of the container.
• Let empty container air dry OR rinse it with clean water that has already been made safe, if available. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach.
Water filters
Boil tap water even if it is filtered. Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove bacteria or viruses.
Preparing and cooking food
• Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or bottled water.
• Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food to cook.
• Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade
• Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.
Feeding babies and using formula
• Breastfeeding is best. Continue to breastfeed. If breastfeeding is not an option:
• Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
• Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water (see above for directions on how to use bleach to disinfect water).
• Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
• If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.
Ice
• Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
• Throw out all ice made with tap water.
• Make new ice with boiled or bottled water.
Bathing and showering
Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
Brushing teeth
Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water.
Washing dishes
Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.
To wash dishes by hand:
• Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
• In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
• Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
• Let the dishes air dry completely.
Laundry
It is safe to do laundry as usual.
Pets
Pets can get some of the same diseases as people. It is a good idea to give them boiled water that has been cooled.
Stay with 11Alive for updated information as it becomes available.
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