Local

DeKalb water issues leave residents with little patience

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Residents in a Lithonia apartment complex are furious after spending a big chunk of the weekend without water due to a broken pipe.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach is at the Crossings Apartments on Hillandale Drive.

Gehlbach arrived at the complex at about midnight and noticed the geyser had turned into a gusher, spouting water up to a couple feet for more than two hours.

The pool of water reached the first-floor apartments, but neighbors were able to move some dirt to let it start flowing away from the building.

Neighbors said they began calling for help Saturday night, but couldn't reach anyone. They called the emergency maintenance number, the county and the fire department.

"They were saying that they can't do anything about it," a resident said.

Finally, Gehlbach saw a private plumbing company show up to turn off the water late Saturday night.

"The county had to shut off (the water) on the side road, then the main road. It's been off for going on 12 hours," explained resident Samuel Vines.

Vines is among the dozens frustrated over the problem. Many said the issue forces them to go buy water, an essential monthly service they pay to receive inside their own homes.

Gehlbach is working to find out when the residents' water will be restored. He'll have a update on Channel 2 Action News at 6.