A Baldwin water main break at US 441 and Willingham Avenue is affecting about 870 of its approximately 2,000 water customers according to Baldwin Public Works Director Scott Barnhart. The leak was discovered late Tuesday afternoon as a steady tickle of water at US 441 and running into the ditch line parallel to the four lane highway.
Crews worked through the night to locate the leak and isolate it to begin repairs. However, due to undocumented and unmapped water lines and valves in the area that were installed decades ago, crews were having issues shutting the water off to begin repairs Wednesday morning.
The city has called in an engineer from the city’s engineering firm, EMI, as well as a contractor to assist in isolating the leak to begin repairs. The city has also requested assistance from the Georgia Department of Transportation for traffic control along US 441. The right southbound lane is closed for about a half a mile in the affected area so work crews can repair the leak.
Water customers south of the Norfolk Southern railroad line in Baldwin proper and all Baldwin water customers in Banks County are affected by the water leak. The city has issued a boil water advisory for the affected areas.
SEE RELATED: Baldwin issues Boil Water Advisory for some water customers
Several businesses have been affected by the water leak. City Clerk Erin Gathercoal confirmed that Dairy Queen, Texaco convenience store, Dollar General, and El Mexicano have been affected. A look at the areas for the boil water advisory issued by the city would also include Baldwin Elementary School, Stew and Que, Life Church, and Habersham Retreat.
Assistant School Superintendent Patrick Franklin explained that the leak has minimally affected operations at Baldwin Elementary School. “We have bottled water on site for students and staff. Portable toilets are also on site at the school,” he said. “This type of issue happens several times a year in a school system our size. This school day has progressed as normal.”
The city has not given a time line for when repairs will be completed.
