Vine City Atlanta water main break: Boil water advisory, citywide outage

ATLANTA - A boil water advisory is in effect and a citywide water outage for metro Atlanta after three large water main breaks forced the closure of several government offices and businesses in the downtown area.

According to Atlanta Watershed Management, the break happened at around 8:30 a.m. on a 48-inch and 36-inch transmission line near the intersection of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW and J.P. Brawley Drive. The break caused a water outage and/or low water pressure throughout the downtown service area.

Initially, city workers turned off the water values on those three mains, but turned them back on around 11:30 a.m. to allow for nearby facilities to prepare for an extended outage. That outage started at 5 p.m. with the intersection being shut down, the ground being broken, and crews getting to work on the repair. 

Low to no water is possible while repairs are being made.

Repairs were further complicated by a second major water main break, this time in Midtown Atlanta. 

Atlanta water main break: What's closed?

• Fulton County government offices
• Atlanta City Hall
• Georgia Aquarium
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Zoo Atlanta
• Elective, non-urgent procedures/appointments canceled at Grady Memorial Hospital
• Megan Thee Stallion's Atlanta concert Friday night postponed amidst water main crisis 

The break forced the closure of the Fulton County offices Downtown, including the Fulton County Government Center and Courthouse.  The Helene Mills Senior Center, the Tax Assessors’ office at Peachtree Center, the Office of the Public Defender, and libraries in the area were closed.

Various businesses in the downtown area, including the Georgia Aquarium and the College Football Hall of Fame have been impacted. Aquarium officials confirmed the outage was not impacting any of the animals, but that they were closed for the day while crews address the issue.  

Zoo Atlanta has closed early, citing water pressure issues. The zoo said it has contingency plans in place to ensure that all animals have access to water.

Officials at Grady Memorial Hospital, through a statement, said the hospital was also impacted by the break. They said all elective and non-urgent procedures and appointments were being canceled. 

"Grady is experiencing low water pressure due to a water main break in the City of Atlanta," the statement reads. "Hospital leadership and our facilities team are working diligently to mitigate the issues. To ensure patient safety, we have decided to cancel all elective and non-urgent procedures and appointments. Affected patients will be notified and appointments will be rescheduled for a later date."

MARTA said that water has been shut off at its West End, Lakewood, Five Points, GA State, King Memorial, Inman Park, Candler Park, Bankhead, and College Park stations.

Officials confirmed Atlanta City Hall has also been impacted.

Boil Water Advisory in effect for Metro Atlanta

The Department of Watershed Management has issued a boil water advisory as they work to repair the break on the 48-inch and 36-inch transmission line, which carries large volumes of water to the metropolitan area. 

Map of the impacted area in Atlanta from water main break (Department of Watershed Management).

Residents and businesses impacted should boil all water or use bottled water for drinking, cooking, preparing baby food, or brushing their teeth. Residents are advised not to drink from public water fountains in the impacted area.

When will the water main break be repaired?

Watershed Management said it has crews working to repair the break. Major repairs are not expected to begin until after 5 p.m. in order to give businesses and homeowners time to prepare for the outage.

SKYFOX 5 flew over the scene where multiple crews could be seen trying to address the break. Gallons of water could be seen pouring out from the roadway. Excavators could also be seen.

Atlanta Watershed Management has not yet released an estimated time when repairs will be completed. FOX 5 will continue to monitor this situation and bring you the latest updates as they become available.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 5 for updates. If you have photos or video, email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.