Spalding County residents on public water were briefly advised not to consume their drinking water on Friday after city officials took precautionary measures in response to a fuel spill upstream in the Flint River at Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport.
The advisory applied only to Griffin and Spalding County public water customers and did not affect residents of the city of Barnesville, the city of Milner, or unincorporated Lamar County who are served by separate water systems. Lamar County’s public water supply is sourced from the Barnesville Reservoir on Eady Creek and the Towaliga River, with some residents receiving a blended supply from the Towaliga and Ocmulgee Rivers.
According to the City of Griffin, early reports indicated the spill had not reached Griffin’s water intake points, but officials decided to put safeguards in place.
As a precaution, Griffin shut down all Flint River intakes at its water facilities and shifted water production entirely to the Dr. Brant D. Keller Reservoir in Pike County, which relies on stored water rather than the city’s direct Flint River intakes. Although the reservoir was originally filled from the Flint River, officials said it was not affected by the Hartsfield–Jackson contamination, allowing water production to continue while direct river intake remained shut down during the advisory. The Harry Simmons Water Treatment Plant was also temporarily taken offline, and city crews flushed fire hydrants in the system to help clear any potentially hazardous water.
During the advisory, residents were instructed not to drink tap water, cook with it, or use it for brushing teeth. City officials emphasized that boiling the water would not make it safe to drink. This is because the concern was chemical contamination and not bacterial contamination. Residents of Spalding County and the city of Griffin were advised to rely on bottled water.
Water samples were collected from multiple locations, including finished water taps, consumer taps, and the Flint River itself. Those samples were sent to an independent laboratory for analysis, with additional testing planned as a precautionary measure.
Late Friday evening, city officials announced that the advisory had been lifted.
At approximately 10:15 p.m., the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, through its Environmental Protection Division, cleared Griffin’s water system based on test results indicating no contamination risk. Normal water use was restored following that conclusion.
City officials thanked residents for their patience and cooperation, noting that the advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution.
The City of Griffin stated it will provide updates if needed.
Residents with concerns or who notice unusual taste or odor issues are encouraged to contact the City of Griffin Water and Wastewater Department.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
