Augusta residents might have heard whispers that the city is planning to “shut off water in an hour,” but according to Mayor Garnett Johnson, that’s nothing more than a rumor. In a public message aimed at putting an end to the misinformation, the mayor clarified the situation in no uncertain terms: Augusta is not cutting off water across the city.
Instead, Johnson pointed out that Hurricane Helene has caused disruptions in some areas, affecting water services. The real issue? Downed trees and debris are making it difficult for city crews to access certain roads, which is slowing down efforts to restore services in those impacted areas.
The Details: Mayor Johnson’s statement couldn’t have been clearer: “The City is not ‘shutting off water in an hour,’” he said, dismissing the rumors circulating on social media. He explained that only certain neighborhoods are dealing with water issues, and the city is working hard to get those services back up and running.
The key takeaway here: if you don’t live in one of the areas hit by the storm, you have nothing to worry about. And even if you do, it’s far from a city-wide water shutdown.
Spotting Rumors: This rumor is the latest example of how quickly misinformation can spread online. It’s easy to get caught up in the panic when an alarming post pops up on social media, but that doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Augusta’s city officials have a simple request: verify your information before assuming the worst. Listen to official sources such as city officials, official city pages and websites, and reputable news organizations. Your friend who has a friend who heard it from their aunt Sally is not a reputable source in situations like this.
Remember that social media posts are essentially gossip and do not hold any water unless verified by an official or reputable source. Also, any time you see a post where “they” are about to do something sinister, always ask yourself, “How would this benefit the group being accused?” Usually, that question alone will tip you off to social media nonsense. In this case, the city government would not benefit in any way to shutting off everyone’s water and it would in fact create more trouble for city officials and more work. Government officials do not like to do more work.
While many residents may have jumped to conclusions, city officials say they are focusing on getting things back to normal for those actually affected. To help the process, anyone experiencing water issues—whether it’s low pressure or no water at all—should email their address to utilities@augustaga.gov so the city can prioritize assistance.
Why It Matters: In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Augusta is dealing with real challenges, and spreading false information only adds to the confusion. Johnson’s message is a reminder that relying on social media for breaking news isn’t always the best approach. Instead, stick to official sources to avoid unnecessary panic.
What’s Next: For now, Augusta will continue its efforts to restore water services to affected areas. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing an outage, follow the mayor’s advice and reach out directly to city utilities. And next time you see a rumor spreading online, remember: just because it’s on social media doesn’t make it true.
