DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Thousands of families in North DeKalb County woke up Wednesday morning under a boil water advisory amid continuing repair work on a water main break, more than 24 hours after it was first discovered.

DeKalb County Watershed Management says the break was caused by the age of the pipe, which was installed in 1941.

It’s located on Clairmont Road and has caused a closure between Bragg Street and Dresden Drive in Brookhaven.

20,000 residents have been impacted so far.

The county is giving out free bottles of water for area residents at a nearby RaceTrac gas station, and at fire stations in the surrounding areas.

Emory University issued a statement overnight saying the break is impacting their main campus. The University says it plans to provide drinking water for students and staff on campus.

According to the AJC, additional areas included in the advisory are “bordered by Moreland Avenue on the west, Candler Street/Clairemont Avenue on the east, Mason Mill on the north, and Hosea Williams on the south.”

Residents experiencing water service issues or requiring additional information are encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management via phone at 770-270-6243 or via email dekalbwaterops@dekalbcountyga.gov.

It will be in place until further notice, the Department of Watershed Management said in an alert sent to residents.

In a Facebook post, Commissioner Robert Patrick of District 1 says DeKalb residents who receive their water from the City of Atlanta are not affected by the boil water advisory.