DeKalb County Crews Repair Water Main on South Candler Street, Atlanta Still Contending with Breaks

The city of Decatur, GA, witnesses diligent repair works by DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management teams as they work to fix a 12-inch diameter water main break on South Candler Street near Kirk Road. As of late last night, the elaborate repair work is well underway. More updates are reportedly imminent.

The Aging Infrastructure in DeKalb

The recent water main break on South Candler further points to the problem of aging infrastructure in DeKalb. Recently, CEO Michael Thurmond appealed for a water/sewer rate hike to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. He emphasized the immediate need to address the problem of aging infrastructure. Thurmond’s administration is about two weeks away from presenting a comprehensive plan that will detail the incremental costs which residents will face for crucial repairs and upgrades to the water/sewer system.

Residents experiencing low to no water pressure due to this incident are urged to contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department. Customer service representatives are ready to answer all queries on the current incident.

The Constant Struggle with Water Main Breaks in Atlanta

Meanwhile, the persisting water main breaks since May 31 have kept the city of Atlanta on its toes. In a recent media advisory, the city’s Department of Watershed Management announced their plan to temporarily shut down a 30-inch main as part of an evaluation process for their water system. The intersection of MLK Jr. Drive and Bakers Ferry Road is set to remain closed for the duration of four hours as part of the planned shutdown.

Service Restoration in Progress at Downtown Atlanta

At the junction of West Peachtree Street and 11th Street in downtown Atlanta, the repairs have finally concluded, signaling the return of water supply to the Midtown area’s residents and businesses. Authorities explained that water supply would slowly return to normal operations to allow system pressures to rebuild. Taking caution one step further, the boil water advisory is still in effect in Georgia. As a precautionary measure, DWM is following its flushing protocols to ensure that the public water in the system is safe for all purposes. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will make a formal communication when the advisory can be lifted.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens commended the hard work of the dedicated teams. “We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our residents and businesses during this challenging time. Together, we have demonstrated the resilience that defines our city.”