Update 01/20 Boil Water Advisory Lifted!

Updated Story! oil water advisory lifted in south Cobb County after water main repaired, officials say...

The Cobb County Water System lifted its boil water notice Saturday morning after a large water main break was repaired.

By Atlanta News First staff

Published: Jan. 19, 2024 at 5:55 AM CST| Updated: Jan. 20, 2024 at 9:54 AM CST

MARIETTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Cobb County Water System lifted its boil water notice Saturday morning after a large water main break was repaired.

Water testing confirmed the water is safe to consume, the department said. Some may experience low pressure or discolored water, which you can fix by running cold water for several minutes.

The pipeline originally ruptured around 1 a.m. near Macedonia Road and Red Rose Drive on Friday. This area is part of the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority system, but it also caused a loss of pressure in the Cobb County Water System, officials said.

Crews work to repair a large water main break near Macedonia Road and Red Rose Drive in Cobb...

Crews work to repair a large water main break near Macedonia Road and Red Rose Drive in Cobb County.(Atlanta News First)

The break affected cities like Powder Springs, Austell, Mableton, and sections of Marietta and Smyrna. The Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority said the burst was most likely weather-related, as pipes can move underground when it’s cold outside.

Officials said the pipe was put back together overnight, but it won’t be re-integrated into the system until next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Cole Blackwell, Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority’s general manager, said this is the first time in about five years that the Water Authority has seen a water main break requiring them to issue a boil water advisory.

They advised residents to boil water or use bottled water for drinking, preparing food or brushing their teeth. People were free to use the water as-is for showering and doing laundry.

Resident Courtney Townsend said the break happened right outside of his home.

“I looked out the window, and I see an ocean in the front yard!” he said. “It was really dominating and pushing into the neighbor’s yard and going up toward their driveways where their cars were. As a matter of fact, one of their mailboxes was already underwater.”

Click here for updates from the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority.