EAST POINT, Ga. — An overnight water main break has prompted a citywide boil water advisory for all residents in East Point.
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Crews are working to repair the break on Headland Drive, which occurred around 2 a.m. The road remains closed between Plantation Drive and Graywall Street as repairs continue.
Channel 2’s Bryan Mims reported in an afternoon update that East Point police have successfully exposed the damaged water main and are working on the repair.
“This has been a challenging process because the gas company is also working within the same sinkhole, requiring close coordination to ensure everyone’s safety,” the city said in a statement to Mims.
Once the repair is complete, the boil water advisory will stay in effect while water testing is completed. It requires a minimum of 18 hours before results are finished.
“We know this has been a long and frustrating process, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding. Our crews have been working through the night and remain committed to restoring service as safely and quickly as possible. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” the city said.
Mims spoke with several residents in the area this morning. While some along Wood Valley Drive reported normal water pressure, others living closest to the break have been left without running water.
One of those residents is Nyneeka Walker, whose home sits next to the water main break.
As crews worked outside her house, Walker said the outage gave her a new appreciation for something many people take for granted: water.
“We turn on the taps, and we expect it to be there — until it’s not,” Walker said.
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When she tried to use her faucet, nothing came out.
“Tried to turn on the faucet and nothing. Like we heard a little splash and like something wanted to come out, but nothing didn’t happen,” Walker said.
Walker has bottled water available for drinking and brushing her teeth, but city officials say anything coming from the tap should be boiled before use.
The boil water advisory applies to all of East Point’s more than 38,000 residents.
Officials recommend boiling tap water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth. Residents who are unable to boil water should use bottled water instead. The city says residents can continue washing their hands with soap and water as usual.
“A little frustrating, but we’ll try to make a better day out of it, out of today,” Walker said.
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Walker said she may spend time at her sister’s house while waiting for water service to return. The experience, she said, has reminded her how easy it is to take running water for granted.
“Now I’m like, I could really use some water,” she said.
East Point Mayor Keisha Chapman told Mims that crews responded after the break was discovered early Friday morning.
“Right now we understand the water main broke around two o’clock this morning, and our water and sewer department came out to assess the situation. They are looking at it right now to make sure we are making progress,” Chapman said.
“We have shut off water to make sure we are allowing up to 18 hours for the water and sewer department to assess the situation, and we’ll keep our residents updated.”
It remains unclear what caused the break.
The boil water advisory will remain in effect until water quality tests confirm the system is safe.
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