Sparta issues boil water advisory amid pipe bursts and water supply struggles

Severe cold weather has caused water issues in Sparta, leaving the city scrambling to restore service after cracked residential pipes and bursting water mains drained the water supply, according to Sparta Mayor Allen Haywood.

SPARTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents in Sparta are under a boil water advisory as the city works to repair its water system following extensive damage caused by freezing temperatures and bursting pipes, according to a public notification Friday night from the Sparta Police Department and Sparta Mayor Allen Haywood.

The advisory was issued due to concerns over microbial contamination after water pressure dropped in parts of the system. Customers who experienced outages or low water pressure are advised to use only boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking and food preparation.

To properly boil water, residents should heat water until bubbles form quickly at the bottom of the container, continue boiling for one minute, and allow the water to cool before use.

The advisory will remain in effect until the city completes testing to ensure the water supply is safe.

In a statement shared by Hancock Emergency Management Friday night, Mayor Haywood wrote that the city’s water tanks lost pressure, and the wet well at the plant was pushed to its limit early Friday morning. Crews worked throughout the day to repair pipe leaks and shut off service to homes with burst pipes before eventually shutting down the water delivery system at 1:30 p.m. to allow tanks to refill.

“Service is returning to most of the town as I write this text,” Mayor Haywood said, adding that crews were continuing to work late into the night to locate and repair main leaks.

Haywood thanked the ME Sacks crew, Georgia Rural Water crew, and local staff for their commitment to restoring stability to the aging water system. “When you see them, please tell them how much we appreciate their hard work,” he said.

Despite the city’s “old and dilapidated” water infrastructure system, Haywood wrote that progress is being made in replacing lines and equipment to maintain the system.

He ended the statement with a request for prayers for the city and its recovery efforts.

For more information, contact the Sparta Water Department at (706) 444-5753 or visit 12912 Broad Street, Sparta, GA 31087.