Major Water Disruption in Atlanta
A significant water main break in downtown Atlanta has forced Emory University Hospital Midtown to transfer patients and implement emergency measures. The break, affecting a 48-inch and 36-inch transmission line, left parts of the city without water and under boil water advisories.
Hospital response and patient safety
On Saturday, Emory University Hospital Midtown began transferring dialysis patients to other facilities and diverting ambulances, except for those with urgent heart conditions. The hospital brought in 58,000 gallons of water in tanker trucks for essential functions and distributed bottled water to patients.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens declared a state of emergency to expedite resource access. Repairs on the initial downtown break were completed by Saturday evening, but work on a second major break in Midtown continues without a set completion timeline.
The water main break led to the closure of major tourist attractions and the rescheduling of events, including Megan Thee Stallion concerts. Grady Memorial Hospital reported low water pressure but remained operational. The incident highlights the aging infrastructure issues in the U.S., with many water mains over 50 years old, leading to frequent and costly breaks.