Atlanta officials were gradually re-building pressure in the city’s water system on Saturday after corroded water pipes burst in downtown and midtown, forcing the closure of many businesses and attractions and affecting water service to homes in the area.
The city was distributing cases of water and setting up temporary toilets at several fire stations, and emergency workers were making the rounds in high-rise apartment buildings to check on elderly and other vulnerable residents.
“Water is a precious and critical resource and without it, the city cannot function and people cannot live,” Mayor Andre Dickens said at a press conference Saturday. “Water is absolutely our number one priority.”
The problems began Friday morning when water flooded a street at the intersection of three major water mains downtown, causing water shortages for two hospitals, the city and county jails and local evacuation centers. Then another rupture in Midtown made the situation worse.
Officials were widely criticized for being slow to inform residents about the situation. The city and water board issued updates after 8pm on Friday and then waited more than 12 hours to inform residents again. Dickens did not speak to the media until 2pm on Saturday, explaining that he was in Memphis when the problems began.
Someone in the disaster area posted flyers in the neighborhood that read, “No water?” and “Please help find the mayor.”
Dickens promised to provide updates every two hours until the situation is resolved.
“We didn’t communicate well last night and we could have done better throughout the day and I apologise for that,” he said.
A boil water order remained in effect for much of metro Atlanta on Saturday, and residents were asked to limit their water use to help restore pressure in the water system.
“We understand the urgency of restoring water service, but we want to ensure that we do so in a way that doesn’t cause further setbacks to our work,” Atlanta Watershed Authority Director Al Wiggins Jr. said at a press conference Saturday. “Any water utility is a vulnerable entity.”
He said he hopes service will be fully restored by Saturday but could not guarantee it.
Several attractions and businesses remained closed Saturday, including the Georgia Aquarium.
“The citywide water issues are still affecting the Aquarium and many other facilities in the area. While animals have not been affected, visitor areas such as restrooms have been affected,” the aquarium posted on social platform X.
The city urged residents to check on elderly or sick neighbors and relatives.
“The entire city government has been mobilized to address this issue,” the water department said Friday.
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s concert was rescheduled from Friday to Sunday. She was also scheduled to perform Saturday at State Farm Arena. That performance was scheduled as of Saturday morning but was still in doubt just hours before it was scheduled to start.
“I am very disappointed as I had a big surprise planned for Hotties tonight but will follow the Mayor’s instructions,” she posted on X. “Praying for those who have lost access to water due to this situation.”
