Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and area hospitals are warned to have extra water on hand due to a possible outage.
Crews will be fixing a leak near the Hemphill Steam Pumping Station on 14th Street, which could mean water service will be interrupted. A failed joint on a 36-inch pipe is to blame, according to Atlanta Watershed Management.
Department officials said the risk of disruption is low, but they have urged city of Atlanta residents, local businesses and critical facilities, including the airport, to have an alternative water supply on standby.
“We wanted to have people prepare for the worst-case scenario, but that doesn’t mean we’re not confident in our repair plan or our approach,” Atlanta Watershed Commissioner Kishia Powell told Channel 2 Action News.
Workers have completed the first phase of the leak repair after seven hours of isolation efforts, officials said Wednesday afternoon. So far, so good.
“The leak is still stable and conditions are normal. Thus far the leak has remained contained and flow has been significantly reduced from the leak due to valve isolation efforts,” a city spokesman said in a statement.
They have added another day to the repair schedule, which is expected to wrap up before Sunday. “The next 72 hours of activities will be very fluid and the schedule is subject to change,” the spokesman said.
The outage, if it happens, could be cause for public safety and health concerns.
The Atlanta Fire Department told Channel 2 it has activated the Georgia Mutual Aid agreement and has two reserve water tankers in Midtown on loan from Forsyth and Morgan counties.
"If we need assistance with water, which has not been the case, that can assist us to respond," Atlanta fire Sgt. Cortez Stafford said.
Rob Neil, the director of environmental safety for Piedmont Hospital, told the news station that officials have also made arrangements.
“In the event that we experience any disruption to water services, we have made arrangements for certain necessities, such as hand hygiene, temporary restrooms, waste water, drinking water and food services,” Neil said in a statement. “We have been working closely with the local fire department to maintain water for critical needs. In addition, Piedmont’s 11-hospital network can provide any additional resources needed to support our patients and staff.”
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