Atlanta City Council approves $7.5 million water main break relief fund for businesses

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Downtown Atlanta facilities were under a boil water advisory after a series of water main breaks. Now affected businesses can apply for funds to cover their losses.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a measure Monday creating a financial relief fund for small businesses affected by the water main breaks earlier this month.

The water main breaks left nearly half of Atlanta under a boil water advisory from May 31 to June 6. The Atlanta Recovery Fund will offer $7.5 million in relief money for businesses affected by the water crisis through Invest Atlanta.

Funding will supplement lost revenue and compensate employees. Eligible business includes those in the boil water advisory area with priority on industries directly impacted like restaurants, salons, and daycares.

Councilmember Antonio Lewis said he’s heard from residents in his district who need financial support as well after the water crisis.

“I know we need to wait one month to see how bills were affected, but I want to see the mayor put together the same type of legislation, piece of legislation, that would take care of people in the city of Atlanta,” Lewis said.

Businesses will have from June 24 to July 8 to apply for relief funds. Invest Atlanta CEO Elisa Klementich said small business owners can prepare to apply now by gathering documents.

“We're asking for a POS report — a point of sale report — for two weeks prior,” she said. “So this will be important for us. We want to see what were your sales two weeks prior and then the two weeks during. That should be a clear sign.”

Money from the fund will be dispersed until June 30, 2025 when any remaining money will go back to the Water and Sewer Revenue fund.