Water gangs or water boys are typically young African-American males (ages 8-18) who sell bottled water for cash at highway exit ramps, a phenomenon that became more prevalent during the 2020 lockdowns when summer jobs were scarce. Water sales are controversial since they are both a safe substitute to drug sales but often lead to truancy, injury, and violence should a water boy get robbed.
Atlanta has attempted to discourage bottled water sales either by banning it, alerting police, or converting exit ramps into green spaces, to little effect. Between January and July 2020, Atlanta Police received nearly 700 calls related to youth selling water, according to APD data.