The Department of Watershed Management has issued a boil water advisory out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Georgia EPD guidance for public advisory. In order to protect the public from a potential health hazard, all residents and property owners Fairburn, Union City and South Fulton that have experienced low water pressures are advised to boil all water prior to use, or use 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.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, the Department of Watershed Management was notified that a contractor accidently bored through a 30-inch water main on Butner Road near Camp Creek Parkway. Notifications were distributed to customers in Fairburn and Union City that they could expect lower than normal water pressure throughout the night.
To eliminate the need to interrupt water service, the Department of Watershed Management began to install a temporary bypass to complete the repair. During the repair process, the drilling device collapsed today and caused significant water loss. Due to the pipeline isolation and water shut down needed to continue to complete the repair, the Stonewall Tell water tank water supply decreased this evening which caused the water pressure to also decrease.
Normal water pressure is typically between 30 and 80 pounds per square inch (PSI). The lower water pressure triggered the need for a boil water advisory to be issued because the water pressure dropped below 20 psi.
The Department of Watershed Management will follow its flushing protocols for the system as a precaution and will sample the affected zones to affirm that there is no contamination in the system. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will advise the Department of Watershed Management when the advisory can be lifted. Official updates will be provided to public safety officials and posted on www.atlantawatershed.org as they occur.
