AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Water officials sent out a reminder that the boil water advisory was still in effect in Richmond County as of Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, Augusta’s mayor reported major progress in restoring water service to neighborhoods where taps ran dry for 48 hours.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said water began flowing again in west Augusta – although pressure was still low – about 24 hours after water was restored to areas south of Gordon Highway on Monday.

The entire city is still under an order requiring boil water before consumption after the system had to be shut down for repairs on Sunday after Hurricane Helene devastated the city.

“There are between 18 and 20 tankers strategically located at six and now seven locations across the city. If we need to expand these locations, we certainly can,” Johnson said. “People are coming, which tells me that people are finding water to drink and cook with. That’s refreshing to know.”

Johnson provided an update on water, power and relief efforts during a news conference Tuesday afternoon, four days after the storm.

“That’s because there are people here that have little kids, you know, and you don’t know what’s in the water system unless it’s cleaned,” said Joshua Lembert of Augusta.

Among the highlights of the press conference:

• The city now has 2,500 linemen based out of James Brown Arena while they are in town to repair Georgia Power’s severely damaged electrical grid. He also said 1,000 were stationed in the Augusta Mall parking lot and 1,500 were stationed in Wrens. By Wednesday evening, 8,000 additional grid operators in the Augusta area will be working to restore the power system
• Natural gas crews respond to gas leaks caused by uprooted trees in Friday morning’s storm. He said crews received 96 emergency calls about gas leaks and responded to all of them. There are currently 456 customers without gas service and utility teams are working to restore them all.
• The city has awarded some contracts for storm debris removal and work is scheduled to begin next week. Residents should place trash on the curb and stack it as high as they like. At some point the teams will come by to pick it up and they will do three passes. So you have three chances. He said people should not take the garbage to the landfill because there would be fees for doing so. Fire Chief Antonio Burden said not to burn debris.
• People still trapped by fallen trees in their neighborhood or home should call 311 for help. Officials said there were National Guard assault teams with chainsaws and other equipment being sent to help. Johnson said the city is trying to get additional help at 311, the city services hotline.
• City Manager Tameka Allen said there is currently a moratorium on penalties for unpaid tax bills due to the storm.

Regarding water supply, officials said a critical piece of equipment was delivered late Monday evening that will help restore performance to the water treatment system.

At the press conference, Johnson mentioned a geyser-like leak visible at a water facility on Riverwatch Parkway.

He said despite what it looks like, it’s not a major problem for the city right now.

He said it was due to a tree hitting equipment during the storm and that the amount of water lost was just a drop in the ocean compared to the overall water supply system, which remains a priority.

The water system had to be shut down because too much storm debris clogged the supply lines, preventing the city from pumping and treating enough water to meet demand. It didn’t help that the pumps were running on generators because the power was out.

Even though water is flowing again in much of the city, that water must be boiled before you drink it or brush your teeth with it.

This is because bacteria and dirt can enter the water pipes if the water pressure drops too much to keep these contaminants out.

The boil water order will be gradually lifted as water in various parts of the city is determined to be free of contaminants.

To check the boil order status on your street, visit https://www.augustaga.gov/3237/Hurricane-Helene-Water-Boil-Information.

For people who either can’t boil water because their power is still out or don’t have electricity, the city has set up some water distribution centers.

You must bring your own containers.

The locations:

• Blythe Town Hall, 294 Church Street
• Warren Baptist, 3203 Washington Road
• Aquatic Center, 3157 Damascus Road
• Southgate Plaza, 1631 Gordon Hwy
• The Depot, 716 Broad Street

The city distributes bottled water to:

• The Depot, 716 Broad Street
• Southgate Plaza, 1631 Gordon Hwy

The recovery came after Fort Eisenhower ordered a voluntary evacuation due in part to the water and power outage.

After the evacuation notice was announced, the city announced around 6 p.m. Monday that water service had been restored south of Gordon Highway – an area that includes Fort Eisenhower. The lights were on again at Fort Eisenhower on Monday evening.

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