Repairs to a broken water main near Atlanta's Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plant are complete, but residents and businesses in the affected area must continue boiling tap water while officials check the system for possible contamination.
The advisory covers portions of southwest and northwest Atlanta, South Fulton, Fairburn, Union City, Chattahoochee Hills and Palmetto, according to the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.
The department issued the advisory Sunday, Oct. 11, after a water supply interruption affected the treatment plant. Crews and contractors have completed repairs, but officials are still monitoring plant operations and water pressure.
Hugh Smith, an assistant commissioner with the department, said several thousand customers experienced water pressure below 20 pounds per square inch, the level that requires a boil water notice. Some customers lost water service entirely, he said.
Officials must restore pressure throughout the affected system and test water samples for bacteria before lifting the advisory.
"We'll start a round of sampling, specifically for bacteria, to make sure there's no contamination in the system itself," Smith said.
Smith said the testing process typically takes 18 to 24 hours, depending on the results. The advisory will remain in effect until the department receives clearance to lift it.
People in the affected area should use bottled water or bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute, then let it cool before drinking, cooking, preparing baby food or brushing their teeth. Officials also advised against drinking from public water fountains in the affected area.
