Atlanta Boil Water Advisory: How To Check If It’s Still Active Right Now

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering whether the city is still under a boil water advisory, the most important thing to know is this:

Because conditions can change quickly and this article can’t update in real time, treat the information below as a guide on how to check status, what a boil water advisory means in Atlanta, and what to do if one is issued where you are.

How to Find Out If Atlanta Is Currently Under a Boil Water Advisory

The status of a boil water advisory in Atlanta depends on when and where you’re asking about. Advisories may affect:

• Just a few blocks or streets
• A specific neighborhood or pressure zone
• Larger portions of the City of Atlanta water system

To see if an advisory is active right now:

1. Check the Department of Watershed Management (DWM)

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is the main agency responsible for drinking water and boil water advisories within the city limits.

Look for current information from:

• Public notices / press releases from the Department of Watershed Management
• Service alerts for water outages, main breaks, or quality issues
• Maps or lists of affected areas during active advisories

You can also contact them directly:

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
72 Marietta St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: 404-546-0311 (Call Center)

When you call, have this ready:

• Your address or nearest intersection
• Whether you’re a resident, business, or visitor
• Any unusual water issues you’re seeing (color, pressure, odor), if relevant

2. Call 311 (Inside City of Atlanta Limits)

If you’re within the City of Atlanta, you can dial:

• 311 from most local phones
• Or 404-546-0311 if 311 does not connect

Ask specifically:

• “Is my address under a boil water advisory right now?”
• “Has there been a recent water main break or low pressure in my area?”

The operator can usually see up-to-date service alerts tied to your location.

3. Listen for Emergency and Local Alerts

When a larger advisory affects Atlanta:

• Emergency alerts may go out via text or phone (depending on sign-ups)
• Local media (Atlanta TV, radio, and news outlets) typically announce major advisories
• Some workplaces, schools, and universities in Atlanta send their own alerts if they’re affected

If you live, work, or study in Atlanta, it’s helpful to be enrolled in any local emergency notification systems your employer, school, or building offers.

What a Boil Water Advisory Means in Atlanta

A boil water advisory in Atlanta generally means that tap water should not be used for drinking or certain household tasks unless it is properly boiled first.

Local advisories are usually issued when:

• Water pressure drops significantly, which can allow contaminants to enter the pipes
• There is a water main break or major leak
• Equipment failures at a treatment plant or pumping station raise concerns about water quality
• There is a potential contamination event (for example, flooding around water lines)

Authorities issue advisories as a precaution until testing confirms that the water is safe again.

What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do During an Atlanta Boil Water Advisory

If you learn that your part of Atlanta is under an active boil water advisory, you’ll want to adjust how you use tap water until it’s lifted.

Water You Should Boil Before Using

Unless local instructions say otherwise, plan to boil tap water for at least one full minute at a rolling boil (longer if at higher elevations outside the city core) and let it cool before:

• Drinking it (including plain water or mixed into drinks)
• Making coffee, tea, or other beverages
• Preparing infant formula or baby food
• Cooking foods that absorb water (rice, pasta, oatmeal, etc.)
• Washing fruits or vegetables you’ll eat raw
• Brushing teeth
• Making ice (use boiled, cooled water or bottled water)

Many Atlanta residents keep bottled water on hand for these uses during advisories, especially in buildings that are frequently affected by water main issues.

Water Uses Often Considered OK Without Boiling

Unless local officials give different instructions, tap water is commonly allowed for:

• Showering and bathing (avoid swallowing the water; take extra care with young children)
• Handwashing, using soap and running water
• Doing laundry
• Flushing toilets

⚠️ If city instructions specify stricter measures than these general guidelines, always follow the local advisory first.

How Long Do Boil Water Advisories Usually Last in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, the length of a boil water advisory can vary:

• Some advisories are lifted within 24–48 hours, once test results confirm safety.
• More complex issues, like major main breaks or infrastructure failures, can lead to advisories lasting several days or longer in affected areas.

Typical steps before an advisory is lifted:

1. Problem is identified and contained (e.g., break repaired, pressure restored).
2. Water samples are collected from the impacted area.
3. Samples are tested for contaminants.
4. If results are acceptable, the city officially lifts the advisory with a public notice.

Until that final notice is issued, Atlanta residents in the affected zone are usually expected to continue boiling water for drinking and other sensitive uses.

Areas Affected: Whole City vs. Specific Parts of Atlanta

A common question is whether a boil water advisory applies to:

• The entire City of Atlanta, or
• Only certain neighborhoods or service areas

In practice, many advisories are localized. A break in one part of the system may only affect:

• A few streets in Midtown or Downtown
• A particular pressure zone in Southwest Atlanta
• A cluster of residential blocks in Buckhead, West End, or near the BeltLine

If you see reports that “Atlanta is under a boil water advisory,” it often means that some—but not all—customers on the Atlanta system are affected. That’s why verifying by your specific address is so important.

If you’re just visiting and staying at a hotel in Atlanta, ask the front desk:

• Whether the property is under an advisory
• Whether on-site filtration or bottled water is being provided

Hotels and larger buildings often receive direct contact from the city when they’re impacted.

How to Tell If Your Home or Business Is Affected

If you’re unsure whether your specific location in Atlanta is under an advisory:

Steps You Can Take

1. Check official alerts
   Use the Department of Watershed Management or 311 to see if your address is listed in an affected area.

2. Ask property management or your landlord

   • Apartment complexes, condos, and office buildings in Atlanta are usually notified if their building is affected.
   • They may post signs in lobbies, elevators, or send emails or texts.

3. Look for posted signs in public places
   Restaurants, schools, and public facilities in Atlanta may display “Boil Water Advisory” or “Bottled Water Only” notices if they’re in an impacted area.

4. Monitor your water
   While appearance alone is not a reliable safety indicator, sudden cloudiness, discoloration, or very low pressure can be a sign that a main break or system issue is occurring nearby—often the kind of problem that can lead to an advisory.

Whenever there’s doubt, follow boil-water precautions until you can confirm your status.

Quick Reference: What To Do When an Advisory Is Issued in Atlanta

Here’s a simple reference you can use if you hear that a boil water advisory is in place:

*Always follow any specific instructions given by the City of Atlanta or your local water provider. If those differ from this chart, their guidance takes priority.

Who Manages Drinking Water in and Around Atlanta?

Most City of Atlanta residents get their water through the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. However, the broader metro area also includes other water systems, such as:

• DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (for many areas east of Atlanta)
• Fulton County Public Works (for some areas outside the City of Atlanta limits in Fulton County)
• Other nearby county or city systems

If you live in a part of metro Atlanta that is outside the official City of Atlanta boundaries, your water provider and advisory information may come from your county or city government, not the City of Atlanta itself.

To confirm who your provider is:

• Check your water bill for the agency name and customer service number.
• Ask your landlord or property manager if water is included in rent.

What to Do When a Boil Water Advisory Is Lifted in Atlanta

When the City of Atlanta announces that a boil water advisory has been lifted for your area, you can usually return to normal water use. Often, residents are advised to take a few extra steps:

• Run cold water taps for a few minutes to help flush standing water from your pipes.
• Empty and clean ice makers and make a fresh batch of ice.
• Replace water filters if the manufacturer or local guidance recommends it after advisories.
• Clean and refill any water dispensers or pitchers you filled during the advisory.

Follow any specific post-advisory instructions the City of Atlanta provides, especially for businesses like restaurants, daycare centers, and healthcare offices.

If You Still Aren’t Sure About Current Status

If you’re reading this and still aren’t certain whether Atlanta is under a boil water advisory right now, use this checklist:

• Call 311 or 404-546-0311 and ask about your exact address.
• Check recent public notices or alerts from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.
• Ask your building management, landlord, or hotel if they’ve received any notice.
• If you hear conflicting information, follow the most cautious approach (boil for drinking and food use) until you confirm.

By using these local resources, you can always get the most accurate, real-time answer about whether your part of Atlanta is currently under a boil water advisory and how to respond safely.