DeKalb County issues “boil water” advisory after major water main break

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has issued a boil water advisory as it repairs a significant water main break on Clairmont Road near Dresden Drive. Officials said the water main break impacts nearly 8,800 households and 20,000 residents in the Toco Hills area and surrounding neighborhoods. The break was caused by the age of the pipe, a cast iron structure installed in 1941. 

A robo call went out today(Jan. 15) at 6:55 a.m. alerting residents of the boil water advisory. The county is providing bottled water at several locations. 

Impact on Residents

• Service Disruptions: Residents in the area are experiencing low to no water pressure. As repairs progress, a substantial number of North Central DeKalb residents may temporarily lose water service. This is necessary to drain the water tank and access the damaged pipe for repairs.
• Repair Timeline: The repair itself is expected to take less than two hours. However, additional time will be needed to refill the water tank and restore normal service levels.

Resident Advisory

• Water Conservation: Residents are strongly encouraged to conserve water usage until the issue is fully resolved.
• Boil Water Advisory: Residents should be prepared to boil water intended for consumption until further notice.
• Bottled Water Distribution: Bottled water is being dispatched to the following distribution centers and should be available by 10:00 p.m.
  • Fire Station 1 – 1670 Clifton Rd.
  • Fire Station 3 – 24 N. Clarendon Ave.
  • Fire Station 7 – 1712 Columbia Dr.
  • Fire Station 9 – 3858 N. Druid Hills Rd.
  • Fire Station 20 – 2919 Warren Rd.
  • RaceTrac – 3630 Clairmont Rd.

Contact Information

Residents experiencing water service issues or requiring additional information are encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management:

• Email: dekalbwaterops@dekalbcountyga.gov
• Phone: 770-270-6243

Stay Informed

DeKalb County is committed to keeping residents informed throughout this process. Regular updates will be provided via official county communication channels. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate the community’s patience as we work diligently to restore water service.