Water Outage in Atlanta: What’s Happening and What You Should Do

Water outages in Atlanta, Georgia can disrupt daily life fast—whether you live in a Midtown high-rise, run a small business on the Westside, or are staying in a Downtown hotel. Understanding why water goes out, who to contact, and how to stay safe can make a stressful situation much easier to manage.

This guide focuses on what Atlanta residents and visitors need to know specifically about water outages in the City of Atlanta and nearby areas served by local utilities.

Who Provides Water in Atlanta?

Most people who say “Atlanta” may be dealing with one of several utilities. Knowing which one serves you helps you report outages and get accurate updates.

Common water providers in and around Atlanta:

• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management

  • Serves much of the City of Atlanta, including Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and many surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Main office (administrative): often referenced as located near 72 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (city government complex area).
  • Customer service phone numbers are typically listed on your water bill.

• DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management

  • Serves many areas east of Atlanta city limits, including parts of Decatur and unincorporated DeKalb close to Atlanta.

• Fulton County Public Works

  • Serves unincorporated areas and some cities in North Fulton; some users identify as “Atlanta” by mailing address even if they are outside city limits.

• Other nearby systems (Clayton County Water Authority, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, etc.) may serve you if you are in the metro area but not inside the City of Atlanta.

🔎 Quick check: Look at your water bill for the utility name and customer service phone number. That is your primary contact for outage information.

Common Reasons for a Water Outage in Atlanta

In Atlanta, water outages usually fall into a few common categories:

1. Water Main Breaks

Atlanta has many older pipes, especially in historic neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, and West End. These pipes can break due to:

• Age and corrosion
• Temperature swings (especially freezing conditions in winter)
• Heavy traffic or construction vibrations
• Direct damage from digging or utility work

A water main break may cause:

• Sudden loss of water in part of a neighborhood
• Low pressure or cloudy water
• Pooling water or flowing water in the street

2. Planned Maintenance or Construction

The City of Atlanta and surrounding counties regularly upgrade water lines, valves, and treatment systems. During this work, you may see:

• Planned interruptions with advance notice
• Door hangers, text alerts, or neighborhood association emails
• Temporary low pressure or discolored water

These outages are often scheduled during off-peak hours (overnight or mid-day) when possible.

3. Power Issues at Treatment or Pump Stations

Heavy storms, lightning, or grid issues can affect:

• Water treatment plants serving the Atlanta system
• Pump stations that push water up to higher elevations or taller buildings

This may cause a widespread pressure drop or low water in parts of the system, especially in high-rise areas like Midtown and parts of Buckhead.

4. Local Plumbing Problems (Building-Specific)

Sometimes what feels like a “water outage” is actually:

• A shutoff valve closed in your building
• A broken pipe inside your property
• An issue with pressure regulators or internal systems
• Landlord, property manager, or HOA maintenance

In that case, the city or county system may be fine, but your building needs repairs.

How to Check If There Is a Water Outage in Atlanta

When water stops running in Atlanta, these are the first steps:

1. Confirm It’s Not Just Your Home

• Try cold water in several faucets.
• Check both hot and cold (if only hot is out, it may be your water heater).
• Ask a neighbor in your building or on your street if they also lost water.
• If you’re staying in a hotel, call the front desk to see if it’s a building issue.

If others nearby also have no water, it’s likely a system-level outage.

2. Contact Your Water Utility

Use the customer service or emergency number on your water bill to:

• Report the outage
• Ask if there is a known water main break
• Check if crews are already assigned
• Ask about estimated restoration time (if available)

For many Atlanta residents, this will be the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. For those just outside city limits, it may be DeKalb, Fulton, or another county system.

When you call, have ready:

• Service address
• Any visible signs: water in the street, low pressure, discoloration
• Whether neighbors are experiencing the same issue

3. Look for Local Alerts

Utilities and local governments sometimes share outage and boil water alerts through:

• City or county web pages
• Official social media accounts
• Local news outlets based in Atlanta
• Neighborhood apps or email lists

These channels can help confirm whether the issue is local, neighborhood-wide, or system-wide.

Boil Water Advisories in Atlanta

After certain kinds of water outages, Atlanta residents may be told to boil water before using it for drinking or cooking. This can happen when:

• Pressure drops significantly in parts of the system
• There has been a large water main break
• The system needs time for testing and flushing

What a Boil Water Advisory Usually Means

You are typically asked to:

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

  • Drinking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Making ice
  • Washing fruits and vegetables
  • Cooking foods that absorb water (like rice or pasta)

• Use bottled water if boiling is not possible.

For bathing and handwashing, guidelines may vary by advisory; residents often use tap water but avoid swallowing it, and may use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when appropriate. If you have specific health concerns, contact a healthcare professional or local health department.

How Long Do Advisories Last?

Boil water advisories in Atlanta can last from several hours to multiple days, depending on:

• How quickly repairs are completed
• How long it takes to flush lines and get water quality test results

Utilities generally announce when an advisory is lifted and normal tap water use can resume.

What To Do During a Water Outage in Atlanta

While you’re waiting for service to return, there are several practical steps that can help.

1. Preserve the Water You Already Have

• Avoid running taps to “see if it’s back yet” every few minutes.
• Use remaining water only for essential uses (drinking, minimal handwashing, basic cooking).

2. Manage Toilets and Hygiene

If your plumbing and sewer system are functioning but water is off:

• You can often flush toilets by manually pouring water into the bowl or tank using:
  • Bottled water
  • Stored tap water from before the outage
• Consider low-flush habits (only flushing when necessary) to conserve stored water.

For hygiene:

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when handwashing with clean water isn’t possible.
• Use baby wipes or damp cloths to freshen up if needed.

3. Handle Food and Cooking Safely

• Use bottled or properly boiled water for:

  • Cooking
  • Washing produce
  • Making coffee or tea (some people boil water separately before using appliances)

• Avoid making ice from unboiled tap water during a boil advisory.

4. Check on Vulnerable Neighbors

In many Atlanta neighborhoods—especially where residents may depend on home health services or mobility aids—water outages can be especially disruptive. If you are safely able:

• Check on elderly neighbors, people with disabilities, or families with infants.
• Share bottled water or information about local assistance points if you know of any.

Simple Emergency Water Prep for Atlanta Residents

Because Atlanta has older infrastructure and occasional severe storms, keeping a basic water outage kit can be helpful.

Recommended Items

• Stored water: Many people keep at least a few gallons on hand for emergencies.
• Bottled water for drinking and basic cooking.
• Hand sanitizer and wipes.
• A small supply of paper plates, cups, and utensils to reduce dishwashing.
• A bucket or large container for toilet flushing if needed.
• A manual can opener and some shelf-stable foods that don’t require water.

This is particularly useful in areas that have experienced repeated outages, such as some neighborhoods along major construction corridors or near ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

Understanding Local vs. Widespread Outages in Atlanta

A water outage can affect just one building, a street, or a much larger area. The likely causes differ.

Local/Building-Specific Outage

Signs:

• Only your unit or building is affected.
• Nearby houses or businesses still have water.
• Your landlord or property manager mentions internal plumbing or maintenance.

Common in:

• High-rise apartments and condos in Midtown and Downtown
• Older multi-unit buildings in neighborhoods like Inman Park or Virginia-Highland

In this case, contact:

• Property management or HOA
• Building maintenance or landlord
• A licensed plumber if it’s your own home

Neighborhood or Area-Wide Outage

Signs:

• Multiple blocks or several streets report outages or low pressure.
• You see utility crews, marked trucks, or work zones.
• Local news or city channels mention an area-wide issue.

In this case, contact:

• Your water utility’s customer service or emergency line
• Follow official updates from your city/county utility or local government

When to Call for Help—and Who to Call in Atlanta

Here’s a quick guide to who typically handles what in the Atlanta area:

If in doubt, start with your utility’s customer service number and ask where to report the issue.

What Visitors to Atlanta Should Know About Water Outages

If you’re visiting Atlanta and experience a water outage:

• Hotel guests:

  • Contact the front desk immediately.
  • Ask if the outage is hotel-specific or citywide.
  • Ask how they are handling drinking water, showers, and toilets.

• Short-term rentals (Airbnb, etc.):

  • Message your host and describe the issue.
  • Ask if neighbors are affected and whether they have heard from the city or county.

• Follow any boil water advisories issued by the local utility or government.

• For events, conferences, or shows (for example, in Downtown, Midtown, or around the Georgia World Congress Center), organizers may share instructions if there’s an outage in the area.

Signs You Should Report Immediately

In Atlanta, utilities usually want residents to report unusual conditions, especially if they might point to a serious break or safety hazard. Call your utility or local authorities if you see:

• Water gushing from the street, sidewalk, or a fire hydrant
• A sinkhole or rapidly forming pothole near visible water
• Strong, unusual odors from tap water
• Sudden, very dark or muddy water from multiple taps

If there is immediate danger to people or property (such as roadway collapse, flooding into homes, or a traffic hazard), calling 911 may be appropriate, and responders can coordinate with the water utility.

How Long Do Water Outages Last in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, outage length varies widely:

• Small, localized issues (like a minor valve repair): sometimes a few hours.
• Moderate water main breaks: could last much of a day, plus additional time for water quality checks.
• Major system or plant issues: occasionally longer, with extended boil water advisories even after service is restored.

Utilities usually give estimated restoration times, but these can change if crews discover more complex damage underground.

Key Takeaways for Handling a Water Outage in Atlanta

• Identify your utility (City of Atlanta, DeKalb, Fulton, etc.) using your water bill.
• Check with neighbors to see if the outage is just your home or more widespread.
• Call your water utility to report the outage and get status updates.
• Follow any boil water advisories carefully for drinking and cooking.
• Keep a basic water outage kit at home, especially if you live in older or high-rise buildings.
• Report visible leaks, main breaks, or safety hazards immediately.

Being prepared and knowing who to contact can make a water outage in Atlanta more manageable, whether you’re a long-term resident or just here for a few days.