Water Pressure Is Back in Downtown Atlanta: What Residents and Businesses Need to Know After the Two-Day Outage

After a two-day water pressure outage in Downtown Atlanta, service has finally returned for most homes, businesses, and public buildings. If you live, work, or are visiting near Peachtree Street, Five Points, Georgia State, the Capitol area, or Centennial Olympic Park, you’re probably wondering what to do now that the water is flowing again—and whether it’s truly safe to resume normal use.

This guide walks through what happened, what to do right now, what to watch for in your building, and how to get help in Atlanta if you’re still experiencing issues.

What Happened to Water Pressure in Downtown Atlanta?

A water pressure outage in Downtown Atlanta typically traces back to issues with:

• A major water main break or aging infrastructure
• Pump station or valve problems affecting pressure
• Emergency repairs by the Department of Watershed Management (DWM)
• System-wide strain from heavy usage or localized damage

During this recent outage, large portions of Downtown and nearby areas saw:

• Very low water pressure
• No running water in some buildings
• Impact to hotels, restaurants, offices, and residential towers
• Disruptions to schools, government buildings, and public venues

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, which manages the public water system, restored pressure after extensive repair work and system flushing. However, “pressure restored” doesn’t always mean “everything is back to normal” for each building—especially in high-rises and older properties.

Is the Water Safe to Use Now?

When water pressure returns after an extended outage, safety guidance can vary depending on what caused the problem and how the system was repaired.

In Atlanta, after a major outage, the Department of Watershed Management may:

• Issue a “Boil Water Advisory” for affected neighborhoods
• Lift the advisory after water quality testing
• Recommend flushing building plumbing before drinking the water

If you’re in Downtown Atlanta, check:

• Whether your building management has provided specific instructions
• If any active boil water advisories apply to your address
• Whether water is clear and stable in your unit or business

If there is or recently was a boil water advisory affecting your block, typical precautions may include:

• Boiling tap water before drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth
• Using bottled water for sensitive uses when possible
• Avoiding ice made during or immediately after the outage

For the most reliable, up-to-date guidance, you can contact:

City of Atlanta – Department of Watershed Management
72 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service: (404) 546-0311

First Steps to Take Now That Water Pressure Is Back

Once water pressure returns to your Downtown Atlanta home, apartment, or business, it’s smart to do a quick system check and basic flushing.

1. Run Cold Water First

Start by turning on cold water taps slowly:

• Open faucets one at a time, starting with the lowest floor in your unit or building.
• Let the water run until it’s clear and air sputtering stops.
• Avoid using hot water until cold lines are running normally.

This helps push out any trapped air, sediment, or discolored water that built up during the outage.

2. Flush Toilets and Check Fixtures

Walk through your space and:

• Flush all toilets at least once or twice.
• Turn on showers and tub faucets, starting with cold.
• Check for any leaks around faucet bases, under sinks, and near toilets.

If you notice persistent discoloration (brown, yellow, or cloudy water), let the tap run for several minutes. If it does not clear, contact your building manager or Watershed Management.

3. Be Careful with Hot Water Heaters

When pressure returns, water heaters in condos, apartments, and single-family homes can be stressed:

• Once cold water is running clearly, gradually use hot water.
• Listen for unusual banging, popping, or rumbling sounds from the heater.
• If the hot water is discolored for more than a few minutes, notify management or a licensed plumber.

If you live in a high-rise Downtown near Peachtree, Courtland, or Piedmont, building engineering teams usually handle boiler and central hot water systems, but residents should still report any unusual behavior.

What Downtown Residents Should Watch for Over the Next Few Days

Even after pressure is restored, some Downtown Atlanta buildings may continue to experience lingering issues, especially those with older plumbing or complex booster pump systems.

Common Post-Outage Problems

• Intermittent low pressure on upper floors
• Cloudy or slightly discolored water after long periods of non-use
• Noisy pipes as air finishes moving through the system
• Restrooms or fixtures that don’t refill properly in offices or public spaces

These are often temporary, but you should report:

• Water that remains brown or rusty after running for several minutes
• Sudden loss of pressure in just one part of your home
• Leaks, dripping ceilings, or wet walls after pressure returns

In Downtown, these issues can show up in:

• High-rise apartments and condos along Peachtree Street, Baker Street, Marietta Street, and around Centennial Park
• Older mixed-use buildings near Five Points and Underground Atlanta
• Office towers near the Georgia State Capitol and government complexes

Quick Reference: What to Do When Water Returns

Here’s a simple visual guide tailored for Downtown Atlanta residents and businesses:

Guidance for Downtown Businesses, Restaurants, and Hotels

If you operate or manage a restaurant, bar, hotel, or event space in Downtown Atlanta, especially around:

• Centennial Olympic Park
• State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium area
• Five Points and Underground Atlanta
• Georgia State University campus area

you may need to take additional steps.

Food Service Establishments

Food businesses are typically expected to:

• Follow any health department guidance related to boil water advisories
• Flush lines to ice machines, beverage dispensers, and soda guns
• Discard ice and potentially affected prepared items made during the outage
• Confirm normal operation of dishwashers and handwashing sinks

For regulatory questions, you can contact:

Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health (for most of Atlanta)
Safety & sanitation questions: Typically listed on their main Environmental Health contact line.

If your business is within the City of Atlanta limits, your city permitting or local health inspector can clarify what is required before resuming full operations after an outage.

Hotels and Large Venues

Downtown hotels and event venues often have on-site engineering teams that:

• Monitor booster pumps and storage tanks
• Flush guest room lines by floor
• Coordinate with the City regarding testing or advisory details

If you’re a guest:

• Follow posted instructions in your room or lobby.
• Call the front desk before drinking tap water or using in-room coffee machines if there has been a known advisory.

Still Have No or Low Pressure in Downtown Atlanta?

Even after the City announces that pressure is restored, some individual buildings in Downtown and Midtown edges may lag behind.

If you are:

• In an apartment near Five Points, the Capitol, or Georgia State University, or
• In a condo or loft conversion in an older building,

and you still do not have normal pressure, take these steps:

1. Check with neighbors on your floor or in your building.

2. Contact your property manager, landlord, or HOA—they may already be troubleshooting.

3. If the entire building is affected, the building management should contact:

   City of Atlanta – Department of Watershed Management Customer Service
   Phone: (404) 546-0311

4. If only your individual unit is affected, you may need a licensed plumber familiar with Downtown Atlanta’s older building systems and high-rise plumbing.

How to Report Ongoing Water Issues in Atlanta

If you’re in Downtown or nearby neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Midtown’s southern edge, Castleberry Hill, or Summerhill, and you’re seeing ongoing problems that appear to be system-related (not just inside your home), you can:

• Call Atlanta Watershed Management Customer Service: (404) 546-0311
• Use the City’s 311-style customer service by phone if available in your area
• Provide exact address, cross streets, and details (no water vs. low pressure, discoloration, leaks in the street, etc.)

When reporting, it’s helpful to know:

• Whether nearby businesses or neighbors have the same issue
• When you first noticed the problem
• Any signs of visible leaks or pooling water on sidewalks or streets

Tips for Being Better Prepared for Future Outages in Downtown

Water main breaks and pressure disruptions can happen again, especially in older urban systems. If you live or work in Downtown Atlanta:

• Keep a small emergency water supply in your apartment or office, especially in high-rises.
• Store basic supplies: disposable plates, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes.
• Make sure you know how your building communicates emergencies (email, text alerts, lobby notices).
• Save key numbers in your phone:
  • Building or property manager
  • Department of Watershed Management: (404) 546-0311

For Downtown residents and businesses, being ready reduces stress when the next disruption occurs and helps you get back to normal more quickly once water pressure returns to Atlanta’s urban core.