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McCaysville Water Flows Again After Flood, But Residents Told Not to Drink It
McCaysville's water system came back online Sunday morning, days after flash floods submerged the north Georgia town, but officials warn the water is unsafe for drinking, cooking, or bathing and should only be used to flush toilets.
MCCAYSVILLE, Ga. â Water service returned to this flood-battered north Georgia town Sunday morning, but officials are warning residents that the water coming out of their taps is not safe to drink, cook with, or bathe in.
McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said the system was restored around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, days after flash flooding submerged parts of the city and forced officials to shut down the water supply entirely.
"The City of McCaysville is pleased to announce that our water system is back online. However, we want to make it extremely clear that this water is NOT safe for drinking or consumption at this time," Earley said in a public update. He noted that residents may see water that looks brown, cloudy, or milky.
For now, the water is to be used for one purpose only: flushing toilets. Earley cautioned that the supply remains extremely limited and that any unnecessary use could drain the city's storage tanks, potentially knocking out service again.
"If everyone begins using water for unnecessary purposes, we risk depleting our storage tanks, which could result in another complete loss of water service," he said. "This would leave residents without the ability to even flush their toilets."
Officials issued a list of prohibitions: residents should not drink or consume the water, use it for cooking, bathing, or washing dishes, use it to clean homes or businesses after the flooding, or wash vehicles. Water should be used only when absolutely necessary to flush toilets.
Safe drinking water is available for anyone who needs it at McCaysville City Hall, 223 Blue Ridge Drive.
The flooding that prompted the shutdown was severe. The National Weather Service estimated the Toccoa River crested at 18 feet, sending water into homes and businesses. The disaster disrupted water service and closed roads across the community, which sits along the Georgia-Tennessee line in Fannin County.
The restoration marks a first step in what is likely to be a lengthy recovery. For residents now confronting muddy, damaged homes and a fragile water system, the immediate challenge is stretching a limited supply while waiting for word that the water is safe again.
City officials said they would provide further updates as the system is tested and treated.