LATEST UPDATE: Visit this link for the latest updates on Atlanta’s ongoing water crisis.
Saturday, June 1
Atlanta’s water crisis that began Friday morning continues to impact major events and businesses.
Just before 7 p.m., Atlanta Watershed said in a press release that crews have completed multiple rounds of repairs on the main break at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and J.P. Brawley Drive in Vine City.
“The system is gradually being brought back online to allow for the rebuilding of system pressures,” the press release said, echoing a similar statement made early this morning. Water outages and low pressure have persisted across the city all day.
The boil water advisory is still in effect “out of an abundance of caution” and in accordance with Georgia Environmental Protection Division guidance.
While the city struggles to bring water back to taps, the outage has forced the closure of many restaurants and businesses, the cancellation of major events, and for hospitals to scramble to take care of patients.
State Farm Arena announced Saturday at about 6:30 p.m. it was canceling the Megan Thee Stallion concert due to the ongoing water issues in the city. The rapper’s show planned for Sunday – rescheduled from Friday night due to the water issues – is expected to take place.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Emory Midtown Hospital is diverting and moving some patients due to the ongoing water crisis.
To keep the hospital cool and air conditioning running, 58,000 gallons of water have been brought in via six tanker trucks to use in the hospital’s chillers and cooling towers. The water is being supplied by a local fire department and delivered by a tanker truck company, the hospital said. Bottled water is also being distributed to patients throughout the hospital for drinking and personal care needs, according to the AJC.
Mayor Andre Dickens said at a Saturday afternoon press conference there was no timeframe for a return of water and water pressure in Atlanta following multiple main breaks on Friday.
Dickens said corrosion on 80+-year-old steel pipes in Vine City led to the main breaks. He also apologized to the many people, businesses and events impacted by the water outage.
“We were expecting to have this concluded by now and we recognize that this water main break has been in this state of repair for over 24 hours now and has impacted a lot of activities, a lot of businesses and residents throughout the city of Atlanta,” he said.
“We have experienced a few setbacks and our timeline has been delayed for completion of all repairs. At this time, I cannot give you a definitive time when full water service will become available,” Dickens said.
Dickens, who has taken a critical drubbing on social media for his lack of response to the crisis, promised to give regular updates.
“I will be candid that overnight we did not do the best job of communicating, we could have done a better job over the past day,” Dickens said.
“We apologize profusely for this disruption to life in the city of Atlanta, and we will have regular updates going forward,” he said.
The Department of Watershed Management and the city of Atlanta social media accounts will provide updates every two hours until the situation is completely resolved, he said.
People can sign up for NotifyATL to receive timely updates on the water main break and repairs progress by text “NotifyATL” to 888777 or visiting atlantaga.gov/notifyatl.
The mayor was in Memphis on Friday when the crisis began and flew back today. Unexpected setbacks occurred late Friday night as crews tried to repair the broken 36-inch water main at the corner of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and James P. Brawley Drive.
“Just to be honest, I thought the solution was closer than it actually was … but there were some setbacks, so the communication didn’t come as fast,” the mayor said.
DWM Commissioner Al Wiggins said at the press conference the intersection is a “very unique site” where three major water lines converge.
Adding to Atlanta’s water woes was a second large main break in Midtown that occurred Friday night.
Water was gushing from the street near the corner of West Peachtree and 11th streets on Friday night and Saturday morning. Atlanta Police have blocked off a portion of West Peachtree, while Atlanta Watershed crews work to fix the break.
Another smaller break at 1190 Atlantic Drive was also being assessed by the city.
The city announced Saturday the Department of Parks & Recreation-operated pools and splash pads would be closed.
Church congregations are being affected by the water outages also. Central Presbyterian Church has closed its campus at 201 Washington St. SW. The congregation was asked via social media to use their “virtual pews” and attend via live stream. Sunday school was being rescheduled, a planned ordination and installation, and congregational lunch, were postponed.
The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 48 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW had no working bathrooms or air conditioning. The Worship Center still planned services at Centennial Academy Charter School at 531 Luckie St NW because the school “still has access to water, although it is slow running,” a spokesperson told Rough Draft Atlanta.
Friday, May 31
Water is off in a large swath of Atlanta, including Downtown, after a water main break on Friday impacted residents, closed businesses, and canceled events across the city.
The city’s Department of Watershed Management turned off water to a chunk of the city at 5 p.m. to repair a water main break on a 48-inch and 36-inch transmission line that “carries large volumes of water to the metropolitan area,” according to a news release.
There is no timeline for how long the advisory will be in effect or when water will be turned back on after repairs.
The department has been working all day on a main break near the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Blvd. NW and James P. Brawley Drive. Crews also were working on water main breaks at 2922 Glenwood Ave. SE close to the East Lake Golf Course and 1236 E. Beechwood Drive NW in Buckhead.
The DWM issued a boil water advisory late Friday afternoon “out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Georgia EPD guidance for public advisory,” according to the release.
Those who experienced water outages and/or low water pressures on Friday are advised to boil all water, or use bottled water for drinking, cooking, preparing baby food, or brushing teeth.
The watershed department is asking people to only use water for critical uses to allow system pressures to rebuild. The boil water advisory will remain in place until DWM is cleared to lift it following sampling protocols.
DWM 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, according to the release.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will advise the DWM when the advisory can be lifted.
DWM Commissioner Al Wiggins told WSB-TV the department started receiving calls at 8 a.m. Friday about low water pressure issues. He said businesses and residents should prepare to be without water for an unspecified amount of time.
Grady Memorial Hospital canceled Friday’s appointments. Winship at Emory Midtown and Emory Proton Therapy Center in Midtown also canceled appointments and directed people needing immediate care to its Clifton campus.
Major tourist attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame and Zoo Atlanta closed Friday afternoon.
Megan Thee Stallion’s Friday concert at State Farm Arena has been postponed to Sunday, June 2. Her Saturday, June 1, concert at the arena is expected to go on as scheduled.
Several restaurants also locked up for the day due to lack of water, including Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland, The Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points, Staplehouse in Old Fourth Ward and Breaker Breaker in Reynoldstown on the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail.
A representative from the Krog District, which borders the Eastside BeltLine in Inman Park, confirmed Krog Street Market would close early due to the water main break.
The food hall is a popular dining destination, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when it draws crowds from the BeltLine and tourists. The food hall includes nearly two dozen restaurants and businesses. Ticonderoga Club and Superica at Krog Street Market also announced closures.
Hop City Beer and Wine will remain open for purchases at the food hall until 8 p.m.
Across the street from the food hall at the Krog District, brewpub BrewDog closed for the day, while Glide Pizza closed for the remainder of the afternoon and evening at StudioPlex.
There were reports of no water at the State Capitol, Atlanta City Hall, and disruption at Grady Hospital.
Fulton County government closed its Downtown facilities, including the Fulton County Government Center and Courthouse, the Board of Health and several libraries.
Beth McKibben and Bob Pepalis contributed to this story.