Boil Water Advisory in Atlanta: What It Means and What You Should Do

When you see or hear “Boil Water Advisory Atlanta”, it usually means there’s a concern about the safety of tap water in part of the city or metro area. Knowing what that actually means, how it affects daily life in Atlanta, and what steps to take can make these situations much less stressful.

This guide breaks down how boil water advisories work in Atlanta, where alerts come from, and what residents, visitors, and local businesses should do until the all‑clear is given.

What Is a Boil Water Advisory in Atlanta?

A boil water advisory is a notice from local water authorities telling people to boil tap water before using it for drinking or certain other purposes.

In Atlanta, advisories typically come from:

• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (for city water customers)
• DeKalb County, Fulton County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, or other local systems (for surrounding metro areas)
• Sometimes from smaller municipal systems or HOAs that manage their own water

Advisories are usually precautionary and do not automatically mean the water is contaminated, but that contamination is possible until testing proves otherwise.

Common Atlanta triggers include:

• Water main breaks (very common in older parts of the city)
• Loss of water pressure after a pipe burst or pump failure
• Equipment malfunctions at treatment plants
• Flooding or heavy storms that may affect water quality

Key Atlanta Agencies and How to Reach Them

If you’re unsure whether a boil water advisory in Atlanta applies to you, start with the utility that supplies your water.

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management

• Customer Service: (404) 546-0311
• General line (City of Atlanta/ATL 311): 3-1-1 (inside city) or (404) 546-0311 (outside)
• Main office: 72 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (many east metro neighborhoods)

• Customer Service: (770) 270-6243

Fulton County Public Works (some unincorporated Fulton and north metro areas)

• Customer Service: (404) 612-7400

If you’re staying in a hotel, apartment, or short‑term rental, management or your landlord is often your fastest resource for area‑specific information.

How to Find Out If an Advisory Affects Your Atlanta Address

When you see “Boil Water Advisory Atlanta” online or in the news, it might cover:

• Only a few streets or blocks
• A specific neighborhood (for example, Midtown, Downtown, West End, Buckhead)
• A ZIP code or pressure zone
• A larger portion of the metro area

To know if your location is included:

1. Check your water bill
   • Look for the name of your water provider (City of Atlanta, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, etc.).
2. Use official customer service numbers
   • Call your provider and ask:
     • “Is there an active boil water advisory for [your address or neighborhood] in Atlanta?”
3. Monitor local news and city channels
   • Local TV, radio, and city announcements often name specific neighborhoods, streets, or landmarks.
4. If in doubt and you’re in or near a mentioned area, follow boil instructions until you confirm otherwise.

What You Should Do During a Boil Water Advisory in Atlanta

During an active advisory, Atlanta residents and visitors are generally told to boil water before using it for anything that might be swallowed.

When You Must Boil Tap Water

Boil tap water before using it for:

• Drinking (including from the fridge dispenser)
• Making ice
• Brushing teeth
• Rinsing foods that won’t be cooked (salads, fruit you eat with skin on, etc.)
• Preparing baby formula or mixing drinks
• Cooking when water is an ingredient or food won’t be boiled long enough

Use bottled water or properly boiled water for these purposes.

How to Boil Water Safely

1. Bring water to a rolling boil (big, constant bubbles)
2. Keep it boiling for at least 1 full minute
3. Let it cool naturally
4. Store in a clean, covered container

At higher elevations you might need longer boiling times, but most of metro Atlanta is low enough that 1 minute is usually the standard recommendation used by local utilities.

When Tap Water Is Usually OK to Use

In most Atlanta boil water advisories, tap water can still be used for:

• Showering and bathing, as long as you don’t swallow it and you’re careful with small children
• Washing hands with soap (some people prefer using boiled or bottled water, especially for young children or those with weaker immune systems)
• Flushing toilets
• Laundry

Check the specific advisory: occasionally, in more serious events, local authorities might issue “do not use” or “do not drink” notices with stricter rules.

What About Atlanta Restaurants, Hotels, and Businesses?

If you’re out eating, working, or staying in a hotel during a boil water advisory in Atlanta, businesses in affected areas are expected to follow strict safety steps.

Common measures local businesses may take include:

• Using bottled or boiled water for drinks, coffee, tea, ice, and food prep
• Shutting down soda fountains, ice machines, and beverage dispensers connected to tap water
• Posting notices in restrooms and on doors
• Temporarily changing menu items that require a lot of water

Restaurants and hotels in Atlanta are normally guided by:

• Fulton County Board of Health
• DeKalb County Board of Health
• Georgia Department of Public Health

If you’re a customer and are concerned, you can ask staff how they’re handling the advisory. They are usually briefed quickly when an advisory is issued.

Simple Atlanta‑Focused Checklist: What’s Safe and What Needs Boiling?

Use this as a quick reference when a boil water advisory is active in Atlanta.

Always follow the specific Atlanta advisory in case it adds or modifies these general guidelines.

How Long Do Boil Water Advisories Last in Atlanta?

In the Atlanta area, most advisories last long enough for:

1. The cause of the issue (like a burst main in Midtown or loss of pressure in southwest Atlanta) to be fixed
2. The system to flush and stabilize
3. Laboratory testing to confirm the water meets safety standards

Common timeframes are 24–48 hours, but some advisories can last longer if:

• Multiple main breaks occur
• Repairs are complex
• Lab results are delayed
• Additional testing is required

You should keep following the advisory until you hear an official “boil water advisory lifted” announcement from your water provider or local authorities.

What To Do When the Boil Water Advisory Is Lifted

Once the City of Atlanta or your metro county announces that the boil water advisory is lifted, it’s still smart to take a few cleanup steps at home or work.

Flush Your Lines

• Run cold water from all faucets for several minutes
• Let showers run briefly
• Flush each toilet

This helps clear any standing water that sat in your pipes during the advisory.

Clean Appliances and Devices

Consider:

• Throwing out old ice made during the advisory and making a fresh batch
• Running your refrigerator water dispenser for a bit before drinking
• Replacing water in humidifiers, CPAP machines, pet bowls, and similar devices using tap water
• Checking point-of-use filters (like under-sink or fridge filters) and following the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations

Visitors: What If You’re Staying in a Hotel or Airbnb in Atlanta?

If you’re traveling and see “Boil Water Advisory Atlanta” mentioned in news or social media:

1. Ask your host or front desk
   • “Is this building affected by the current boil water advisory?”
2. Follow onsite instructions
   • Many hotels provide complimentary bottled water and notices explaining what’s safe.
3. Be cautious with ice and coffee
   • Confirm whether they’re using bottled or boiled water in guest areas.

If communication is unclear, it’s safest to treat tap water as if it requires boiling before use for drinking and brushing teeth.

Common Atlanta Questions About Boil Water Advisories

Does a filter make Atlanta tap water safe during an advisory?

Most standard home filters, including many pitcher or fridge filters, are not guaranteed to remove all microorganisms of concern. In a boil water advisory, Atlanta authorities typically still recommend boiling water even if you use a filter.

How will I be notified if I live in Atlanta?

People in affected areas often learn about advisories from:

• Local TV and radio
• City or county government alerts
• Customer emails, texts, or robocalls from water utilities
• Social media accounts of local government agencies
• Notices from apartment management, HOAs, or building owners

If your water provider offers text or email alerts, it’s a good idea to sign up in advance.

What if I accidentally drank unboiled water?

If you unintentionally drank tap water before you learned about the advisory, local guidance usually encourages people to monitor how they feel and contact a healthcare provider or nurse line if they have questions or feel unwell. For specific medical concerns, it’s best to seek advice from a medical professional.

Preparing for Future Boil Water Advisories in Atlanta

Because Atlanta has an aging water infrastructure and frequent construction and development, boil water advisories do occur from time to time.

To be better prepared:

• Keep a small supply of bottled water at home (enough for drinking and basic use for at least a day or two).
• Know which utility serves your address and keep their customer service number handy.
• Sign up for local alerts where available.
• If you run a business, especially a restaurant or food service in Atlanta, have a plan for switching to bottled or boiled water quickly.

Being ready makes it easier to adjust your routine and stay comfortable until Atlanta’s water system is fully cleared and the advisory is lifted.