Griffin residents told not to drink tap water after Atlanta airport fuel spill

The city of Griffin, which is about 30 miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, has issued a “Do Not Consume” water advisory as a precautionary measure to its residents and those on the water system of Spalding County after a fuel spill at the airport reached the Flint River.

“While initial information indicated the spill had not reached the area of Griffin’s water intakes, the City immediately shut down all Flint River intakes out of an abundance of caution,” the advisory says.

“Until further notice, customers are advised not to drink, cook with, or brush teeth using tap water. Bottled water should be used for all consumption purposes. Boiling the water will not make it safe for consumption.”

Griffin, the county seat of Spalding County, is the sole water source for the Spalding County Water Authority, which also told residents not to consume the water.

Spalding County is home to about 70,000 people, according to the latest U.S. Census estimate, of which about 24,000 live in the city of Griffin.

Around 7:30 a.m. Friday, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division received reports of a strong fuel odor coming from the vicinity of the Atlanta Fire Training Grounds in College Park, according to a release from the agency.

“The initial investigation indicates that the odor may originate from a break in the valves of an above ground storage tank north of Terminal ‘T’ at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport,” the release said, likely referring to Concourse T. “It appeared that the product, Jet A/Kerosene Fuel, escaped containment and entered the Flint River. The amount discharged is still being investigated at this time,” the release says.

The EPD added that “all drinking water intakes below the impacted area have been notified,” but it was unclear if any intakes were impacted.

The responsible party, which was not identified in the EPD release, has secured the source of the fuel and started recovery measures, the EPD said. Both the EPD’s and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Emergency Response Teams are on scene to assist with the clean-up.

It was still an active scene as of Friday evening so information on total impacts was not yet available, the airport said.

“Response and cleanup efforts are underway, and environmental teams are on scene working with airport partners, the appropriate external agencies and neighboring jurisdictions to manage the situation. The Airport will continue to monitor conditions closely and share additional information as it becomes available,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

But other local governments that use the Flint River as part of their water source have said the water is OK to drink.

The Clayton County Water Authority said it was closely monitoring reports of the spill and the presence of fuel in surrounding counties’ water systems, but said its water system has not been affected.

“CCWA has tested water samples and reviewed operational and water quality reports, confirming that our drinking water remains safe and meets or exceeds all state and federal regulatory standards,” according to a statement.

The Coweta Water and Sewage Authority said that although it purchases water from Griffin, “we have been informed that the water we are receiving from them is NOT affected by this advisory.”

The Flint Riverkeeper, a nonprofit that works to maintain the river, said on social media Friday night it is working closely with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to “scope biological impact.”

The city of Griffin and Spalding County are asking residents to report any taste or odor issues to the Water and Wastewater Department at 770-229-6423 or call the City of Griffin After Hours at 770-229-6406 and press 6 for help with water management.