Atlanta Boil Advisories: What They Mean and What To Do

When a boil water advisory in Atlanta pops up on the news or your phone, it can be confusing and stressful. Knowing what it means, how to respond, and where to get local information makes it much easier to handle.

This guide walks through how boil advisories work in Atlanta, Georgia, what you should do at home or while visiting, and how to stay updated.

What Is a Boil Water Advisory in Atlanta?

A boil water advisory is an official notice that your tap water may not be safe to drink without boiling. It is usually issued when there is a concern that the water could be contaminated with germs or other harmful substances.

In the Atlanta area, boil advisories are typically issued by:

• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (inside city limits)
• DeKalb County, Fulton County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and other nearby systems (for surrounding suburbs, many of which are still “Atlanta” to residents and visitors)

There are generally two main types:

• Precautionary boil advisory – issued as a safety step when something happens that might affect water quality (like a major water main break or sudden drop in pressure), even before contamination is confirmed.
• Mandatory / confirmed boil advisory – issued when there is evidence or a strong suspicion that the water supply has actually been contaminated.

If you see “Atlanta boil advisory” in the news, always read the details:
It may apply to specific neighborhoods, ZIP codes, or water systems, not always the entire city.

Why Atlanta Issues Boil Advisories

In and around Atlanta, boil advisories most often happen after:

• Water main breaks or pipe repairs
• Sudden drops in water pressure
• Power outages that affect water treatment facilities
• Flooding or severe storms that disrupt normal operations
• Equipment failure at a treatment plant

When pressure drops or pipes break, it can allow potentially contaminated water or soil to enter the water lines. Even if actual contamination hasn’t been proven, Atlanta officials will often issue a precautionary advisory until tests confirm the water is safe.

What You Should Do During a Boil Advisory in Atlanta

If you’re in an area under an Atlanta boil advisory, assume your tap water is not safe to drink unless you treat it properly.

For Drinking and Cooking

Use bottled water if available, or boil tap water:

1. Bring water to a rolling boil (large, continuous bubbles)
2. Keep it boiling for at least 1 full minute
3. Let it cool before using or storing
4. Store in clean, covered containers

Use boiled or bottled water for:

• Drinking
• Making ice
• Cooking and mixing food (pasta, rice, soups)
• Making coffee, tea, baby formula, and drink mixes
• Swallowing pills or medications

For Brushing Teeth and Rinsing Mouth

Use boiled or bottled water for:

• Brushing your teeth
• Rinsing your mouth after brushing
• Cleaning dentures or mouthguards

For Handwashing and Bathing

• Handwashing:

  • You can usually wash hands with tap water and soap, then thoroughly dry.
  • For higher-risk situations (food prep, caring for infants, or if you want extra safety), use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol after washing.

• Showering and bathing:

  • Healthy adults can usually shower or bathe with tap water as long as they avoid swallowing it.
  • Be extra cautious with babies and young children; try to keep water out of their mouths and eyes, or use a clean washcloth with boiled/cooled or bottled water for their face.

If you have any specific health concerns or conditions, contact a healthcare professional for advice tailored to your situation.

For Dishes, Utensils, and Kitchen Surfaces

• If you wash dishes by hand, use:

  • Hot, soapy tap water
  • Then rinse with boiled water, or
  • Soak rinsed dishes in a weak bleach solution recommended by local guidance (if provided), then air-dry

• If you use a dishwasher, it is often considered acceptable if it reaches high heat or has a sanitizing cycle. If you’re unsure, you can re-rinse dishes with boiled water after running the dishwasher.

For Laundry and General Cleaning

• Laundry can typically be done with tap water as usual.
• Mopping and general cleaning can usually proceed as normal, as long as the water is not used for food or personal consumption.

Atlanta-Focused Quick Reference: What’s Safe During a Boil Advisory?

(Always follow any specific instructions given by Atlanta or county officials, which may be more strict depending on the situation.)

How Long Do Boil Advisories Last in Atlanta?

In the Atlanta area, a boil advisory typically lasts until water quality testing confirms that the water is safe. This often means:

• At least 24 hours, sometimes
• 2–3 days or longer, depending on the severity of the issue and how quickly test results come back

You should keep following the advisory rules until an official notice says it has been lifted. The end of a boil advisory is usually announced in the same channels used to start it (local news, government websites, alerts, and social media).

How To Know If a Boil Advisory Affects Your Part of Atlanta

Because “Atlanta” covers many neighborhoods and counties, a boil advisory might affect:

• Only certain streets or neighborhoods
• One side of a major roadway or corridor
• Only areas served by one specific water provider

To confirm whether your home, hotel, business, or school is included:

• Check your water bill to see which water provider you have (City of Atlanta, DeKalb County, etc.)
• Use that provider’s communications (phone, alerts, website, or social media)
• Look for maps or lists of affected streets when boil advisories are announced

If you’re visiting and aren’t sure who provides your water, hotel front desks, property managers, and short-term rental hosts in Atlanta are typically aware of local advisories and can clarify whether the property is affected.

Where to Get Official Boil Advisory Information in Atlanta

When you see or hear “Atlanta boil advisory,” always confirm details through official channels. Local agencies regularly post boil advisory notices, maps, and updates.

Below are some key contacts and locations; always check for the most current advisory information:

City of Atlanta – Department of Watershed Management

Handles water service and boil advisories within the City of Atlanta limits.

• Main Office:
  Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
  72 Marietta Street NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• Customer Service (Water Billing & General Inquiries):
  Phone: 404-546-0311

• You can also look for alerts from “City of Atlanta” on local TV, radio, and regional notification systems.

Fulton County (Areas Outside Atlanta City Limits)

Some portions of north and south Fulton County receive water service from the county or from other municipal systems.

• Fulton County Government Center (Main):
  141 Pryor Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  General information lines can direct you to water services and boil advisory updates.

DeKalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Others

Many neighborhoods that people think of as “Atlanta” are in nearby counties such as DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton. These counties may issue boil advisories for their own systems, which are often described as affecting “metro Atlanta.”

• DeKalb County Watershed Management – serves large areas east of the City of Atlanta
• Cobb County Water System – serves parts of northwest metro Atlanta
• Clayton County Water Authority – serves areas south of the airport

Most metro systems have:

• Customer service phone numbers
• Recorded messages during emergencies
• Online advisories and social media posts

When in doubt, have your water bill, address, or ZIP code ready when you call so staff can quickly confirm if your address is affected.

How Atlanta Residents Typically Get Boil Advisory Alerts

People in Atlanta usually learn about boil advisories through:

• Local TV and radio stations covering Atlanta news
• City and county websites and alert systems
• Text or phone alerts (if signed up for local emergency notifications)
• Social media accounts for Atlanta Watershed, counties, and city government
• HOAs, apartment managers, and building management, who often resend official notices to residents
• Schools and universities, which may send emails and texts to families and students

If you live in Atlanta, consider:

• Signing up for your city or county emergency alert system
• Following your water provider’s official social media channels
• Making sure your contact information is current with your water utility

📝 Tip: If you manage a business, restaurant, daycare, or other public facility in Atlanta, train staff on where to check for boil advisories and what steps to follow when they occur.

What Happens After a Boil Advisory Is Lifted in Atlanta?

Once Atlanta or a surrounding county lifts the boil advisory, tap water is considered safe to use normally again. However, there are a few clean-up steps many residents and businesses follow:

• Flush taps: Run cold water from all faucets for several minutes to bring fresh water into your pipes.
• Replace water filters:
  • Refrigerator filters
  • Under-sink or faucet filters
  • Pitcher filters
    These can trap contaminants; replacing them ensures you’re starting fresh.
• Discard ice: Throw away any ice made during the advisory. Make new ice once you’ve flushed the lines.
• Check appliances: Run and flush water lines for refrigerators, ice makers, and water dispensers before regular use.

If you have specialized equipment (such as in a restaurant, coffee shop, or medical setting), follow any guidance given by the local health department or relevant oversight agency.

Special Considerations for Visitors and Short-Term Stays in Atlanta

If you’re traveling to or staying in Atlanta during a boil advisory:

• Ask your hotel or host if the property is affected and what steps they are taking.
• Use bottled or properly boiled water for drinking and brushing your teeth, even in hotels with filtered tap systems, unless the property clearly confirms safety and compliance with local guidance.
• If you’re attending a large event or conference, check event communications—organizers in Atlanta often send updates if a boil advisory affects food or beverage service.

For families visiting with infants, young children, or people with specific health conditions, consider talking with a healthcare professional if you have questions about extra precautions.

Boil Advisory vs. Do Not Drink / Do Not Use Orders

While boil advisories are the most common in Atlanta, you may occasionally hear other terms:

• Boil Water Advisory / Notice – Water may be contaminated; safe to use for drinking and cooking only after proper boiling.
• Do Not Drink – Water should not be used for drinking or cooking, even if boiled, unless your utility or health agency clearly states that boiling is acceptable.
• Do Not Use – The most serious. Water should not be used for any purpose, including bathing or washing, until officials say otherwise.

Atlanta residents and visitors should always read the exact wording in alerts. If anything is unclear, contacting your local water provider or the City of Atlanta can help you understand which rules apply.

By understanding how Atlanta boil advisories work and knowing where to check for verified, local information, you can respond quickly and safely whenever an advisory is issued in the city or across the metro area.