Where does my water come from?
The Chattahoochee River is the drinking
water for DeKalb County. The water is treated at the Scott
Candler Water Filter Plant and then distributed to DeKalb County
customers.
Click here for more information.
Where can I get information
about the quality of my water?
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires
public water systems to send annual water quality reports
to all of their customers. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed
Management supports this effort and each year publishes
a water quality report known as the Consumer
Confidence Report (CCR).
Who do I call with questions about my drinking
water?
Visit the office of the Revenue Collections/Water
Billing Department at 1300 Commerce Drive in downtown Decatur.
Office hours are Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How
do I establish a new account?
You can download a copy of the application
for service by clicking on the "Application for Water/Sewer
Service" link on the right. Once you have completed
the application, fax it to (404) 687-3504 OR
Take the completed application, a copy of your social security
card, driver's license or picture identification, and your
lease or closing papers along with a non-refundable $20
application fee to the Revenue Collections/Water Billing
Department Office hours are Monday through Friday, from
8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m. at 1300 Commerce Drive (on the corner
of Commerce and Trinity) in downtown Decatur. For more information,
please call (404) 378-4475.
Who do I contact concerning problems with
my water bill?
For all account and billing questions,
call the Finance Department's Water and Sewer Billing Customer
Service at (404) 378-4475.
How do I know if I
am under watering restrictions? How can I conserve
water?
The State of Georgia has permanent watering
restrictions. There are several sources available
to inform residents
of the restrictions, including this website,
the Department
of Natural Resources website, and local newspapers
and news stations. Water conservation tips are provided on
our water conservation tips web
page, and from the American
Water Works Association.
Why has my water been turned off?
Your water may have been cut
off as a result of non-payment of your water bill. For more
information, please call (404) 378-4475.
If your water pressure suddenly drops to nothing
or to a small trickle, the cause is likely a broken water main.
Contact the emergency service number at (770) 270-6243. This number
is answered 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Why is there construction and/or
repair activities in my neighborhood?
To obtain construction
and maintenance information, please call (770) 621-7200.
Why is
my water pressure low?
If your water pressure suddenly drops
to nothing or to a small trickle, the cause is likely a broken
water main. Call the
emergency service number 24 hours a day, seven days a week
at (770) 270-6243.
If you have been experiencing
low water pressure on an ongoing basis, check to see if the
low pressure only occurs
in certain parts of the house or only from the hot or cold
water tap. If the answer is yes to either of these, this
would indicate a problem with your home's interior plumbing.
You may
need to
contact
a plumber.
If the low pressure is noticeable throughout
the entire house and tends to drop when more than one faucet
is being
used,
further investigation is needed. Call (770) 270-6243 to report
these problems. This number is answered 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Another cause of low water pressure is high
demand during periods of low supply.
Who
do I call for emergency repairs?
For 24-hour emergency repairs, please call
(770) 270-6243.
Who do
I call for other repairs, such as leaky pipes, standing
water, or running water?
For problems with pipes from your water meter
to your house or with your interior plumbing, contact a plumber.
For problems
with pipes from the water meter to the street, please call
(770) 270-6243. This
number is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What is
a backflow prevention device? Why is one needed?
A backflow
prevention device attaches to the outside sewer service line
of a home or business to prevent sewage from entering the
building when a blockage occurs.
What is a backflow and how
does it occur?
A backflow is the result of a blockage
in the sanitary sewer system. Sewage rises through a manhole
and overflows to
the surrounding area. If the plumbing in your home or business
is below the level of the overflowing manhole, the sewage can
enter your home or business through your lowest plumbing drains.
Do
all buildings need this device?
No, if your home or business
has a septic system, is above street level, or if there is
no drain below street level then this device
is not necessary.
Am I required to have
a backflow prevention device?
If your home or business is on the sewer line
and it sits below street level or if the lowest drain in the
building is below
street level, a backflow prevention device is required by
DeKalb County code.
Will
the county install this device?
No, although the DeKalb County code requires
this device to protect home and business owners, it is the property
owner's responsibility
to have one installed. The Georgia State Supreme
Court has ruled that a county government may not perform work
on a private plumbing system. A plumber can assist you in selecting
the best device and install it for you.
Will my insurance cover
any damage to my home if a backflow occurs?
You should check with your insurance company
to be certain. You may need to purchase special homeowner's insurance
to cover
potential damage caused by a backflow.