Boil Water Advisory Lifted After Water Outage

ATLANTA, GA -- The boil-water advisory in Atlanta after a massive pressure outage at the city's Hemphill Pump Station has been lifted, and officials said there has been no contamination of the public water system. As of Tuesday morning, city officials were still collecting water samples in areas impacted by the outage to ensure safety. The advisory was issued after a low distribution system pressure caused the Hemphill water pumps shutting down.

The water outage also left students at about two dozen Atlanta schools without water on Monday, with school officials distributing bottled water.

The Atlanta Watershed Department has provided answers to some FAQs about the water outage:

MY WATER IS RUNNING A LITTLE BROWN – WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

It is recommended to allow the water to run for a minimum of 2-4 minutes to
flush the line.

WHEN WILL THE ADVISORY BE LIFTED?
The testing takes at least 24-hours so we will be able to provide an update after we receive the testing results. At this time, we anticipate the boil water advisory will be in effect until at least 1800 hours tomorrow (Tuesday, December 4, 2018).

Can I use tap water to wash my hands?

Yes.

Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?

No. Use boiled water to brush your teeth. If you consume the water, it should be boiled.

Is it safe to take a shower or bath?

Yes.

What about doing laundry?

Yes, you can wash laundry.

Food and Beverages

Can I use my coffee maker, ice machine, water dispenser, or soda dispenser?

No. Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water lines. This includes the water and ice dispensers in your refrigerator/freezer and dishwasher. If your appliance is not connected to your water line (e.g., a free standing coffee maker), you can use it, but use boiled water for consumption. When the advisory is lifted, consult the owner's manual to find out how to flush and sanitize appliances.

Can I use ice from my refrigerator/freezer?

No. Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers. Throw out all ice made with tap water.

Can I use tap water to cook food (such as pasta, rice, noodles, etc.)?

No. Until you receive updated instruction from local officials, boiled water should be used for food preparation.

What should I do about preparing food and beverages? How should I wash fruit, vegetables, and food preparation surfaces?

Wash fruits and vegetables with boiled water. Prepare drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade with boiled water. Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.

What should I do about feeding my baby?

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 boiled water. Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples with boiled water before use. If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.

How do I wash dishes?
Use disposable plates, cups, and utensils, if possible. If you do not have disposable dishes, wash dishes by hand and use only boiled water and dish soap.

What should I do if already drank the water?

If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your local health department.

Should I give my pets boiled water?

Pets can get some of the same diseases as people, so it is a good idea to give them boiled water, as well.

Do I need to worry about my fish or aquatic pets (e.g., reptiles, frogs)?

Contact your local pet store or veterinarian for more advice.

Is it safe to water my garden and house plants?

Follow the guidance of your local health authorities for advice on using tap water for household plants and gardens.

Here is a link to the map of the affected areas.

Georgia State soon reported that service had been restored to its downtown campus buildings:

Atlanta Watershed officials said "there is currently an issue at the Hemphill Station and the Department of Watershed Management is working diligently to get the water back on."

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