Emergency Information Update #1 For the latest information concerning flooding, road closures, water purification and all other emergency information please go to: http://www.douglascountyema.com Important Tips and Information: *Do not attempt to cross roads that are covered with water, trees, power lines or any other type of debris. *Do not drive past barricades, signs or other placed barriers of any kind that are intended to stop traffic from entering an area. *If you need to be evacuated please call 911. Evacuees who need shelter will be taken to the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway S.E., Marietta, 30060-2251, which is the closest Red Cross Shelter. *Douglas County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 23rd with hopes to open on Thursday, September 24th. Updates on this information can be found on http://www.celebratedouglascounty.com or dctv23 on Comcast cable. *The Douglas County Courthouse is open, however all jury trials have been cancelled for the week. *The open house for the Fire Training Facility and the Town Hall Meeting with District 4 Commissioner David Latham have been cancelled and will be held at a later date. ---------------------------------------- The following is a memorandum from the Georgia Department of Community Health in response to the temporary loss of potable water and is intended to advise restaurants how to properly respond to the interruption. If you are a restaurant owner PLEASE BE ADVISED! Douglas Public Health Advisory: All Food Service Establishments in Douglas County, GA (Ref: Georgia Food Service Regulations, Chapter 290-5-14) Due to the current boil water advisory, all restaurants in Douglas County must cease using the public water supply for food preparation and human consumption effective immediately. Georgia law specifies that unless your facility has confirmed access to a safe water source, the restaurant should close until the water supply can be determined safe for use. (290-5-14-.03(2)(n) page 29 of the food code) If closing is not a viable option for the facility, please be advised that an alternative water supply MUST be provided, which may include: 1. Supply of containers of commercially bottled drinking water and bottled soda drinks. 2. One or more closed portable water containers 3. Enclosed water storage tank 4. Enclosed vehicular water tank 5. Piping, tubing, or hoses connected to an adjacent approved source. (Chapter 290-5-14-.06(1)(k) page 107 of food code) Also, please be advised that all ice machines must be emptied and sanitized as per the manufacturer's instructions prior to use. Do not use any ice generated by the ice machine during the boil water advisory. These ice machines CANNOT be used until the water supply has been deemed safe from the water authority. Also be advised that commercial beverage dispensers (soda, coffee, etc.) CANNOT be used because the water supply going in will be contaminated. These machines also must be cleaned and sanitized according to manufacturer's recommendations prior to being used again (after the water supply has been deemed safe from water authority). Do not use the public water supply to wash fruits and vegetables or to wash your hands. Please used bottled water or boiled and cooled water for these functions as well. If you have any questions regarding what your restaurant must do, please do not hesitate to call Robert Gore at Douglas Environmental Health Department at 770-920-7311, or, for an after-hours emergency, Chris Hutcheson at 678-249-4361. ---------------------------------------- If you have any water system questions regarding the boil water advisory you may contact the Douglasville-Douglas Water and Sewer Authority at (770) 949-7617. You can also go to: http://www.ddcwsa.com for more information. Thank you for your cooperation and be safe! John D. Kennedy, M.D. District Health Director Douglas Board of Health |