Campus Alert Archive
Emory

A 1941 Pipe Failed in Brookhaven and Put Emory's Campus Under a Boil-Water Advisory

GAwater contaminationadvisorymedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

A 30-inch water main installed in 1941 broke around 9 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025, on Clairmont Road in Brookhaven, affecting nearly 8,800 households and 20,000 residents. After repairs, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management issued a precautionary boil-water advisory that reached Emory University's Atlanta campus on the morning of January 15, 2025. Emory set up water-distribution points and told the community not to drink from fountains or coffee makers until the advisory lifted.

Alerts
3
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Emory University
Private R1 · GA
~16,000 students
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Approximate reconstruction404 chars
Emory has been notified that the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has issued a boil water advisory for areas including Emory's Atlanta campus following a major water main break. Do not drink tap water without boiling it first. Do not use drinking fountains or devices connected to the water supply, such as coffee makers. The university is providing bottled water at designated locations.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed: the Emory Wheel reported the county announced the advisory for campus on the morning of January 15, prompting the university to set up water distribution.
The specific instruction not to use drinking fountains or coffee makers connected to the supply is drawn directly from Emory's guidance as reported.
UPDATEEmail
Approximate reconstruction340 chars
Bottled and bulk water is available at the Emory Student Center second floor commons, the Student Activities and Academic Center lobby, and the Woodruff Residential Center. The boil water advisory remains in effect until DeKalb County confirms the water is safe. Continue to avoid drinking tap water or using fountains until further notice.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed: the three named distribution points match Emory's published locations during the advisory.
This message keeps the advisory in force and is not an all-clear; it ties lifting to the county's confirmation.
ALL CLEAREmail
Approximate reconstruction226 chars
The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has lifted the boil water advisory for Emory's Atlanta campus. The water on campus is safe to drink and use. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during the advisory.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed: the Emory News Center reported the county lifted the advisory for Emory's Atlanta campus and that the water was safe to drink and use.
This is the genuine all-clear: it explicitly declares the water safe and lifts the restriction, unlike the prior 'remains in effect' update.
Context

Background

A 30-inch water main installed in 1941 broke around 9 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025, on Clairmont Road in Brookhaven, affecting nearly 8,800 households and 20,000 residents in the Toco Hills area and nearby neighborhoods. After completing repairs, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management issued a precautionary boil-water advisory that, on the morning of January 15, extended to Emory University's Atlanta campus. According to the Emory Wheel, the university responded by distributing water at the Emory Student Center, the Student Activities and Academic Center lobby and the Woodruff Residential Center, and advised against using drinking fountains, coffee makers and other devices connected to the water supply. DeKalb County lifted the advisory for most affected areas, including Emory, on January 16, declaring the campus water safe. The case is a clean example of an off-campus municipal infrastructure failure cascading into a campus-wide health advisory and notification.
Analysis

Key Findings

A 1941-era municipal water main break, not a campus failure, triggered the boil-water advisory on Emory's campus
The advisory reached campus on January 15, a day after the break, showing how municipal incidents cascade into campus notifications
Emory's response centered on bottled-water distribution at three named campus locations and fountain/coffee-maker warnings
The all-clear came from DeKalb County declaring the water safe, illustrating campus dependence on municipal authorities
Outcome
DeKalb County lifted the boil-water advisory for most affected areas, including Emory's Atlanta campus, on January 16, 2025, declaring the water safe to drink and use. Emory distributed water at the Student Center, the Student Activities and Academic Center lobby, and the Woodruff Residential Center during the advisory.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Boil water advisory lifted for Emory's Atlanta campus - Emory News Center
    news.emory.edu
  2. Student Paper
    Emory still under boil water advisory after water main break - The Emory Wheel
    emorywheel.com
  3. News
    What to know about the boil water advisory affecting Emory University - 11Alive
    11alive.com
  4. News
    DeKalb County water main break impacts thousands, prompts boil water advisory - AJC
    ajc.com
Tags
water-contaminationboil-water-advisorywater-main-breakgeorgiaprivate-r1infrastructureadvisory
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion