Officials in Atlanta announced on Thursday that residents are no longer required to boil water before consumption, following a water main break that occurred west of downtown six days ago. Normal water flow and pressure were fully restored citywide on Wednesday, but additional time was needed to conduct bacteria testing to ensure the water's safety.
The initial water main rupture took place last Friday and was promptly repaired by Saturday. However, a second leak that emerged later on Friday was not resolved until Tuesday.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his support on Wednesday for a $5 million plan aimed at compensating businesses for losses incurred during the water outage. He also pledged to conduct an evaluation of the city's infrastructure and implement monitoring systems to detect potential pipe leaks.
While the boil-water advisory did not encompass the entire city, it was lifted for most affected areas on Monday. Nevertheless, downtown and Midtown Atlanta, along with certain eastern neighborhoods, remained under the advisory until recently.
The recent water supply disruptions in Atlanta underscore broader challenges with failing infrastructure across the nation. Notably, the 2022 water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and ongoing issues in cities like Flint, Michigan, highlight the critical need for reliable water systems.
Mayor Dickens faced criticism for his handling of the leaks, particularly due to his absence from the city following the initial major rupture. Despite leaving town to attend a fundraiser in Memphis, Tennessee, the mayor's administration stated that the extent of the disruption was not initially clear. A subsequent major leak in Midtown Atlanta further complicated the situation.
