Fulton County issued a boil-water advisory Friday morning for parts of southwest Atlanta after a water-main break on Cascade Road SW sent water gushing into the roadway and forced emergency shutoffs that drained pressure in the local distribution network.
The advisory covers ZIP codes 30311 and 30331, county water-resources staff said in a 10:22 a.m. alert. Residents and businesses in those ZIPs should boil tap water for at least one minute before drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or preparing food. The advisory also applies to ice made from tap water.
What’s affected
The break is on a 24-inch transmission main near the West Atlanta Watershed, according to a county spokesperson. Crews were on-site by 9:45 a.m. and have isolated the leak, but pressure restoration takes time.
About 14,300 service connections are in the advisory zone, the county estimated — a mix of single-family homes, apartment complexes, and small businesses along the Cascade Road commercial corridor.
“We’ve isolated the leak and pressure is stabilizing, but we need to confirm two consecutive clean bacterial tests before we lift the advisory. That typically takes 24 to 48 hours.”
— Fulton County Department of Water Resources spokesperson
Schools and hospitals
Atlanta Public Schools confirmed that two elementary campuses in the advisory zone are switching to bottled water for drinking and food preparation through at least Monday. Cascade Elementary and West Manor Elementary will remain open; the change is precautionary.
No hospitals are inside the advisory footprint, but Grady Memorial Hospital — outside it — said it has activated its water-resilience plan as a precaution in case patients are diverted from any facility that falls inside the zone.
What to do
- Boil water for one full minute, then cool, before drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice.
- Use bottled water for infant formula.
- Don’t use unboiled tap water for washing fruits and vegetables.
- The advisory does not affect bathing or showering.
- Dishwashers with a final-rinse cycle that reaches 150°F are safe; otherwise use disposable dishware.
How long
The county said it would reissue an update at 4 p.m. Friday and again Saturday morning. The advisory will remain in place until two consecutive negative bacterial samples confirm the system is clean — typically 24 to 48 hours from restoration of full pressure.
WACN 21 will update this story as the county releases new information.
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