ATLANTA – The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has issued a boil water advisory out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Georgia EPD guidance for public advisory. DWM calls for immediate water restriction to critical uses only to allow system pressures to rebuild.

DWM is investigating a possible breach on an existing 30-inch transmission main at 1041 Fairburn Road, SW, which has interrupted service in the cities of South Fulton, Union City, Palmetto, Chattahoochee Hills, and Fairburn. There may be low or no water pressure in the affected cities. A map of the impacted area will be provided shortly.

The boil water advisory will remain in place until DWM is cleared to lift the advisory following sampling protocols.

To protect the public from a potential health hazard, all residents and property owners who have experienced water outages and/or low water pressures are advised to boil all water before using or using bottled water for drinking, cooking, preparing baby food, or brushing teeth. The water should be boiled for one minute past a rolling boil. Infants, the elderly, and those with immune deficiencies should be particularly cautious. Do not drink water from public water fountains in the impacted area.

Vigorous hand washing or showers with soap and tap water should be safe for basic personal hygiene. However, use boiled (then cooled) water and handwashing soap if washing hands to prepare food.

The public should continue to boil their water or use bottled water until the boil water advisory is lifted. If you experienced a water loss at your address, but your address is not within the area described, the City recommends you follow these precautions.

The Department of Watershed Management will follow its flushing protocols for the system as a precaution and has sampled the affected zones to affirm that there is no contamination in the system. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will advise DWM when the advisory can be lifted.

Stay tuned to local news outlets, and connect with us on our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @ATLWatershed.

Click HERE to learn precautions to take during a boil water advisory.