Frequent water main breaks causing flooding issues for Decatur neighborhood

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - People living in one Decatur neighborhood say repeated water main breaks keep flooding their road.

“It’s definitely gotten worse, but it’s always been a problem,” said Leevi Palmer.

On Wednesday, DeKalb County crews were on Mercer Rd to repair a water main break.

Palmer said it’s the second time in less than a week that crews have been out for a water main break.

He said it’s happened at least a dozen times since he’s lived in the neighborhood for seven years.

“It’s really affecting a lot of my neighbors,” Palmer said.

A video from this past Saturday showed of a portion of the street and driveways flooded due to a water main break.

“We’ve just been having a lot of water backup, then what’s been causing the sewage system to back up, then the storm drainage systems to back up,” Palmer said.

Palmer said the storm drains also become clogged, causing flooding in his neighbor’s backyard.

“I realized it was building up almost like a pond in his backyard,” he said.

Robert Lopez, who lives across from Palmer, said the issue is not with his driveway, but the water pressure and interruptions.

“Saturday morning I got up... no water, basically a trickle, so I looked out here and I saw water gushing down the street,” Lopez said.

Back in February, DeKalb County commissioners approved an annual 10% rate increase to water bills, which took effect in July.

County officials stated that the rate increase will be used to fund improvements to water and sewer infrastructure.

Palmer said the county does respond quickly to water main breaks, but he and Lopez hope something is done to address the issue.

“I think because we’re on the corner, it’s a little bit worse because the water is rushing down the hill, but it’s been happening all the way down the main road,” Palmer said.

We’ve reached out to DeKalb County for comment on this story. We’re waiting to hear back.