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

Living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia means depending on a large and complex water system. Every so often, that system is affected by issues that trigger a water advisory. Knowing what these advisories mean and how to respond can help you stay safe, avoid confusion, and get back to normal faster.

This guide explains how water advisories work in Atlanta, who issues them, how to check your address, and what to do in different situations like boil water advisories, water main breaks, and low pressure events.

What Is a Water Advisory in Atlanta?

A water advisory is an official notice that something may be affecting your tap water or water service. It does not always mean the water is unsafe, but it does mean you should pay attention and follow instructions.

In Atlanta, advisories typically fall into a few common types:

• Boil Water Advisory
• Do Not Drink Advisory
• Do Not Use Advisory
• Water Outage / Low Pressure Notice
• Precautionary Advisory during repairs or after a major break

These can apply to:

• The City of Atlanta (served by the Department of Watershed Management)
• Parts of Fulton County, DeKalb County, or surrounding areas that buy water from Atlanta or share pipes and infrastructure

Who Issues Water Advisories in Atlanta?

Most residents inside the Atlanta city limits get water from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.

Key local agencies involved:

• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM)

  • Handles city water treatment, distribution, and most boil water advisories for the City of Atlanta.
  • Customer Service (typical main line): 404-546-0311
    (Use for billing, account questions, and some service issues.)

• City of Atlanta ATL311 (Customer Service)

  • General city help line; can direct you for water main breaks, outages, or advisories.
  • Dial: 3‑1‑1 (inside city limits) or 404-546-0311 (from mobile/outside)

• Fulton County Public Works and DeKalb County Watershed

  • If you live near the border of Atlanta, you may be on a county system instead of City of Atlanta water. These agencies issue their own advisories.

When in doubt, checking your water bill provider (City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, etc.) will tell you which advisories apply to you.

Common Types of Water Advisories in Atlanta

1. Boil Water Advisory

A boil water advisory in Atlanta is the most common and the one people hear about most often.

It usually happens after:

• A large water main break
• A drop in water pressure across part of the system
• Power outages at treatment plants or pumping stations
• Flooding or severe weather affecting infrastructure

Authorities issue it when there is a possibility, not a certainty, that bacteria or other contaminants could have entered the pipes.

What it means for you:

Under a typical boil water advisory, you are asked to:

• Boil tap water for at least 1 minute at a rolling boil before:

  • Drinking
  • Making ice
  • Preparing food
  • Brushing teeth
  • Giving water to pets

• You can often:

  • Shower and bathe as usual (try not to swallow the water)
  • Wash hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if advised
  • Wash clothes and run dishwashers (many advisories allow this)

Always follow the specific instructions for your particular advisory. The notice will usually say clearly what is and is not allowed.

2. Do Not Drink Advisory

A Do Not Drink advisory is more serious than a boil water advisory.

This may be issued if there is concern about:

• A chemical contamination
• A serious treatment plant issue
• A contaminant that boiling does not make safe

What it means:

• Do not drink the water, even if boiled.
• Use bottled water or an alternate safe source for:
  • Drinking
  • Cooking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Preparing infant formula

You may still be allowed to shower, bathe, and flush toilets, depending on the advisory language.

3. Do Not Use Advisory

This is the most restrictive type and is rare in Atlanta, but it can occur in severe situations.

A Do Not Use advisory may apply if:

• There is a serious chemical spill directly into the water system.
• There is a severe contamination at a plant or a major pipe.

What it means:

• Do not use tap water at all for:
  • Drinking or cooking
  • Bathing or showering
  • Washing dishes or clothes
  • Any contact with your body, food, or dishes
• You may typically still flush toilets, but follow the exact instructions given.

4. Water Outage or Low Pressure Notice

In Atlanta, a water main break or big construction project can cause:

• Little or no water pressure
• Discolored or cloudy water
• Temporary shut-offs in certain neighborhoods

These events often come with a precautionary boil water advisory, especially if pressure drops below a certain level.

How to Check for a Water Advisory in Atlanta

Because advisories are location-specific, you should always confirm whether your address is affected.

Here are common ways Atlanta residents and visitors can check:

1. City of Atlanta Official Channels

Look for updates from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management or ATL311, such as:

• Official city announcements
• Service alerts and press releases
• Interactive outage or advisory maps (when available)

When an advisory is issued, local officials often narrow it down to:

• Specific neighborhoods or districts
• Major streets and boundary lines
• Certain ZIP codes or service zones

2. ATL311 and Local Alerts

You can use ATL311 to get more detailed, address-specific help:

• Call 3‑1‑1 within city limits, or 404-546-0311 from outside
• Ask:
  • “Is there a water advisory for [your address or intersection]?”
  • “Is my street included in the boil water advisory that was announced?”

You can also look for:

• Reverse-911 or local emergency alerts (if you are registered)
• Announcements from Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office or Emergency Management

3. Your Water Bill Provider

Not all Atlanta-area addresses use City of Atlanta water, even with an “Atlanta” mailing address.

If your bill comes from:

• City of Atlanta → follow City of Atlanta advisories
• Fulton County Public Works → check Fulton County advisories
• DeKalb County Watershed → follow DeKalb County updates

Always rely on the provider listed on your bill for final guidance.

What To Do During a Boil Water Advisory in Atlanta

Here is a simple overview of what people in Atlanta usually need to do when a boil water advisory is in effect. Always check your specific notice, but this table offers a general idea:

If you’re in a hotel or short-term rental in Atlanta:

• Ask the front desk or host how they are handling the advisory.
• Many hotels provide bottled water or boiled water to guests.

When the Water Advisory Is Lifted

When water quality tests confirm safety, the City of Atlanta or relevant county will officially lift the advisory.

Once that happens, you may be asked to:

• Flush your home plumbing:
  • Run cold water from all taps for several minutes.
  • Let showers run on cold for a bit.
• Flush appliances:
  • Run your dishwasher empty one time (if recommended).
  • Run water through refrigerator water dispensers and discard the first batches of ice.
• Replace or clean filters:
  • Change filters in refrigerators, under-sink systems, and pitchers as directed by the manufacturer.

The notice or press release often includes step-by-step instructions for what to do once service is restored.

Common Causes of Water Advisories in Atlanta

Water advisories in Atlanta are usually related to infrastructure or weather, including:

• Aging water mains that crack or break
• Construction accidents that damage underground pipes
• Heavy rain and flooding that can overwhelm parts of the system
• Power outages at treatment plants or pumping stations
• Equipment failures at water treatment facilities

Because Atlanta’s system is large and interconnected, an issue in one part of the network can sometimes trigger precautionary advisories across a wider area.

Staying Prepared for Water Advisories in Atlanta

Water advisories are temporary, but they can be disruptive. A little preparation can make them easier to handle.

Helpful steps for Atlanta households:

• Keep some bottled water on hand
  Enough for drinking and basic needs for at least a day or two.
• Have a large pot or electric kettle
  So you can boil and cool water efficiently if needed.
• Know your provider’s name and account number
  From your bill, so you can quickly confirm who to call.
• Save important numbers in your phone:
  • City of Atlanta Watershed / ATL311:
    • 3‑1‑1 (inside city)
    • 404-546-0311 (mobile/outside)
• Follow local news and city alerts
  Atlanta advisories are often announced on local TV, radio, city channels, and emergency notifications.

Water Advisories and Visitors to Atlanta

If you are visiting Atlanta and hear about a water advisory:

• Ask where you’re staying (hotel, short-term rental, family, or friends):
  • Whether the address is inside the advisory area
  • What they are doing to comply with the advisory
• Use bottled water if you’re unsure, especially for:
  • Drinking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Making baby formula or food

Most large hotels and major venues in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will have clear internal procedures and are used to handling advisories when they occur.

If You Notice a Water Issue in Atlanta

You can help the city respond faster by reporting:

• Sudden loss of water pressure
• No water at all
• Large leaks, water bubbling up in the street, or broken hydrants
• Unusual color or strong odors in tap water

For addresses served by the City of Atlanta:

• Call ATL311:
  • Dial 3‑1‑1 or 404-546-0311
• Provide:
  • Your exact address or nearest intersection
  • A brief description of the problem
  • When you first noticed it

If your bill is from Fulton County or DeKalb County, use the contact information on your bill or their main public works or watershed lines.

By understanding how water advisories work in Atlanta, how to check if you’re affected, and what steps to take at home or while visiting, you can handle these situations calmly and safely until normal service resumes.