Augusta lifts boil water advisory, creative ways Augustans collected water post-Helene

The City of Augusta on Friday night announced the boil water advisory was lifted for residents and businesses.

The Augusta Utilities Department lifted the boil water advisory, issued on Monday, noting comprehensive water testing confirmed the tap water meets all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption, according to a news release.

Affected customers no longer need to boil water for drinking, cooking or making ice – but should flush their lines by opening the cold water faucet and letting the water run for two minutes, according to the release.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience,” officials wrote in the release.

How Augustans coped without water

Many Augusta residents had to find alternative methods of gathering water in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Last week, reporters with The Chronicle watched as Ricardo Ramirez collected water in a trash bag from a street gutter on Aumond Road.

“This is the only way we can [get water], unless we go to the river, but that is too far away,” Ramirez said.

He explained that he was using the water to flush the toilet, but was walking to a nearby creek to bathe.

Aside from being out of water, a large tree crashed through the ceiling of his AirBnB, causing extensive interior damage.

“Our road was completely full of trees – everywhere,” Ramirez said. “A friend [who was in the house] was standing so close to where the tree came through the house, he almost died.”

He added it was difficult to get anywhere because his truck was blocked my fallen trees in his yard, and Augustans were hesitant to give him a ride to the grocery store to get drinking water.

“The Publix is open so we walked all the way there carrying our bags,” Ramirez said. “In Mexico, a lot of people offer [rides to others]. Not here. We are completely on our own.”

Anyone with questions or concerns about the lifted water advisory should contact 311 using the mobile app.

This story was updated to add a video.

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