The Atlanta City Council is gearing to vote on a relief measure for small businesses that were hit by the recent water main breaks. A proposed $5 million water relief fund is set to be deliberated on Monday with hopes to aid those still suffering from the incidents that began May 31. The outages led to significant losses for local businesses, some of which had to temporarily halt operations or adapt their business models drastically. The fund, if approved, is designed to help businesses like SBD+, whose co-owner Lance Robertson claimed to tell FOX 5 Atlanta that they lost "close to about $3,000."

Planned to officially launch on June 24 and close by July 8, the small business relief fund, if passed, is expected to somewhat ease the financial strain, though it's unlikely to fully cover the suffered damages. Emory University finance professor Tom Smith elaborated on this, explaining to FOX 5 Atlanta that businesses "may be covered cents on the dollar, maybe 25 cents or maybe 10 cents on the dollar. Certainly helpful, but it probably is not going to cover everything." Applications will be accepted through a program at Invest Atlanta, the city's development authority that encourages economic growth and competitiveness.

Discussing the breadth of the support, some businesses have articulated the extent of the impact on their operations. Luis Guerrero, the owner of The Greatest of the Plates, reported to Atlanta News First that on a good weekend, they would make "$25,000 in sales," yet the damage from water main breaks posed serious complications. Phil Thompson, co-owner of Stir House Atlanta, shared similar grievances of damage and lost business, noting, "We had to send employees home for the day, as well."

To provide further information and guidance on how to apply for the fund, Invest Atlanta is slated to host a webinar on Monday. Small businesses such as restaurants, daycare centers, and shops like coffee houses or cleaners are prioritized in the eligibility criteria. Phil Thompson outlined the relief's importance, saying it is "so beneficial" and will help those with damages not substantial enough to warrant insurance claims due to deductibles. He revealed plans to apply for the relief himself, as the fund proposes to be a stand-in for "those that are uninsured but also for those that are insured where the damage wasn’t as catastrophic," he explained to Atlanta News First.

As Atlanta anticipates future infrastructure challenges, Mayor Andre Dickens has announced measures to prevent similar incidents. Devices to electronically detect and report leaks are to be installed, and the city will also step up inspections and repairs of faulty valves. The mayor also aims to reevaluate the city’s capital improvement plans, giving priority to water system upgrades.