City of Dublin under boil water advisory after major water line break

City crews worked through the night on what officials called “a significant water leak” that was discovered on Joiner Street near its intersection with Marcus Street, leading to the closing of all Dublin City Schools and West Laurens Middle School on Wednesday.

City Manager Josh Powell said the leak of a 16-inch water main was found around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.

“Because of the nature of the leak, water production was terminated so that city forces could make the necessary repairs,” he said.

The city is under a boil water advisory, which was issued out of an abundance of caution because there is the potential that a health hazard may exist due to microbial contamination in these areas without positive pressure.

Mayor Joshua Kight praised the city workers.

“We had to shut off water production so that our water utility crews could work to repair the line,” he said. “They have been out there all night without rest working to repair this issue.” 

Around 7:45 Wednesday morning, repairs were in the final stages and the water pumps were turned back on. An official said low water pressure was expected as water operations resume.

Powell expects residents and customers of the city’s water utility to experience diminished or no water supply.

“Once the repairs are completed water production will resume at our water plants and customers can expect to have restored service,” he said. “Upon the restoration of services water utility customers experiencing cloudy or otherwise dirty appearing water should run their water until it runs clear.”  

As of Wednesday morning, court and many businesses were closed for the day. Laurens County Superintendent O.J. Hall received a text about the water main break around 5:11 a.m. Wednesday.

“This did create a small ripple throughout the district because we have staff members who live within the city limits and even some students who live within the city limits,” Hall said. “When you cancel West Laurens Middle, you have parents who teach in the schools or staff members who have kids that attend there and childcare does become a problem. It’s one of those things that is out of your control. You have to adjust accordingly and put the safety of the students and staff first.” 

But students and staff cannot go to a school without water. The Laurens County Board office, which is located in the city, was also affected.

“For those who are able to work in other schools, and have a job that requires us to work in other schools, we are able to do what we need to do, just not from the office,” Hall said. “Those who work in the office only are having to work from home (Wednesday).”

To protect the public from a potential health hazard, customers that have experience water outages or low water pressure are advised to use only boiled water for drinking, cooking or preparing food. To properly boil water for use, customers should:

– Heat water until bubbles come quickly from the bottom of the container.

– Continue heating the water for one minute once it begins to boil.

– Remove the water from the heat source and allow to cool before use.

During a boil water advisory, the Centers for Disease recommends that boiled tap water or bottle water be used for drinking, brushing teeth, washing food and preparing food and baby formula, making ice and drinking water for pets.

Activities like cloth washing, dish washing and other uses can be done without boiling tap water.