ATLANTA — A water main break in Atlanta has left many residents without running water, making everyday tasks, including flushing the toilet, challenging.
Here’s a guide on how to manage toilet flushing when there's no running water, according to the University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Gather Supplies: Collect water in buckets or large containers. This water can come from stored supplies or other sources, such as rainwater or gray water.
- Pour Directly into the Bowl: Lift the toilet seat and pour the water into the bowl in one strong, continuous motion. This method uses gravity and the force of the water to flush the waste down the drain. Aim to use at least one gallon of water for a proper flush.
Gray water is wastewater from sinks, showers and laundry. This can be collected and reused to flush toilets.
- Collect Gray Water: Use buckets to collect water from your showers or sinks.
- Pour into the Bowl or Tank: If you want to use the flush handle, you can pour this water directly into the toilet bowl or into the toilet tank.
- Check Your Tank: If your toilet tank still has water, use the remaining water to flush by pulling the handle.
- Portable Toilets: For prolonged outages, consider using a portable camping toilet.
Harvesting rainwater is another useful method. According to the University of Georgia, rainwater harvesting involves setting up a collection system, which includes a pump and filtration to ensure the water is suitable for flushing toilets. This practice helps in emergencies, conserves water, and reduces strain on municipal supplies.
For more detailed information, refer to resources from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Georgia Tech’s research on efficient water use and sanitation systems.
Sources:
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension: Your Household Water Quality: Odors in Your Water
- Georgia Tech: Global Research Team Reinvents the Toilet
- UGA Cooperative Extension: The Georgia Water Stewardship Act
More on the water main break
It all started early Friday, just after 8 a.m. when a break happened in the Vine City neighborhood near the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW and James P. Brawley Drive.
Boil water advisory still in effect
Following the recent water main break, the city's boil water advisory remains in effect. Residents are reminded to boil their water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing their teeth to avoid potential contamination. The advisory, which was put in place as a precautionary measure, will remain until water quality tests confirm that the supply is safe for consumption.
Water main break continues to impact businesses
Businesses in the area, including restaurants and retail stores, are still experiencing water outages, which are severely impacting their operations. Customers are advised to check with individual businesses for updates on their status.