Atlanta Water: How City Water Works, What It Costs, and Who to Call

Atlanta’s water system touches almost everything about daily life here—from what comes out of your tap to how stormwater drains off your street during a summer thunderstorm. Understanding Atlanta water helps whether you’re moving into the city, already a resident, a property owner, or planning a longer stay.

This guide walks through how city water in Atlanta works, how to set up and manage service, what to know about water quality and billing, and who to contact when something goes wrong.

How Atlanta’s Water System Is Organized

The City of Atlanta’s water and sewer services are primarily handled by the:

Department of Watershed Management (DWM)
72 Marietta St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Customer Service (general line): often listed on your bill or via the city’s main information line

Within the city limits, DWM is usually responsible for:

• Treating and delivering drinking water
• Maintaining water mains, pipes, and meters
• Handling wastewater and sewer service
• Managing stormwater systems, catch basins, and some flooding issues
• Setting and collecting water and sewer bills

If your address is in an unincorporated area or a neighboring city (for example, parts of DeKalb, Fulton, or Cobb counties), your water provider may be your county water department instead of the City of Atlanta. Many people with an “Atlanta” mailing address are actually outside the city limits, so checking your bill or property records is important.

Setting Up Water Service in Atlanta

1. Confirm Who Your Provider Is

Before you start, verify whether City of Atlanta Watershed Management is your provider or if it’s a county system such as:

• DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management
• Fulton County Public Works
• Cobb County Water System

You can confirm by:

• Looking at an existing water bill (if you’re taking over service at a property)
• Asking your landlord or property manager
• Checking city or county property records

If you’re inside the City of Atlanta limits, you’ll usually work with Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management.

2. Starting Residential Service

For a typical rental or home purchase within city limits, starting water service usually involves:

• Providing address and move-in date
• Giving personal identification (often a driver’s license or similar ID)
• Paying a deposit (often required for new accounts, especially for tenants)
• Sharing contact information for billing and emergencies

You can typically start service by contacting Watershed Management customer service. Many Atlantans open or close accounts online or over the phone, then verify any required documentation by uploading or emailing copies as instructed.

Tip:
If you’re moving in on a weekend or late in the day, try to request your service start a day or two earlier. That reduces the chance of a gap in service or an activation delay.

3. Stopping or Transferring Service

When you move out:

• Request a final read of your meter as of your move-out date
• Confirm your forwarding address for the final bill or deposit refund
• If moving to another place inside city limits, ask if you can transfer your account instead of opening a brand new one

Failing to officially close an account can leave you responsible for water charges after you move, so it’s worth double-checking.

Understanding Your Atlanta Water Bill

A typical City of Atlanta water bill includes more than just the tap water you use. Most bills contain charges for:

• Water usage (the water you consume)
• Sewer service (what goes down the drain/toilet)
• Stormwater (to help manage runoff from rain and flooding)
• Service fees or base charges (standard monthly costs connected to having an account and meter)

How Usage Is Measured

Atlanta water use is generally measured in gallons or hundred cubic feet (CCF) depending on the meter. Your bill shows:

• Previous meter reading
• Current meter reading
• Usage for the billing period

Water and sewer charges often use tiered rates—the more you use, the higher the rate for the higher tiers. This structure is common in Atlanta and many other cities to encourage conservation.

Common Bill Questions

Why is my bill so high this month?
Common Atlanta causes include:

• A hidden leak (toilet running, irrigation line break, dripping faucet)
• Seasonal lawn watering or pool filling
• Guests or increased occupancy
• A misread meter or meter communication issue (less common, but possible)

If your bill spikes without an obvious explanation, it’s reasonable to:

• Check toilets, faucets, outdoor spigots, and irrigation systems for leaks
• Note your daily meter readings for a few days to see if usage seems unusually high even when you aren’t home much
• Contact Watershed Management customer service to ask about a possible meter recheck or billing review

Can I set up payment arrangements?
If you fall behind, Atlanta often allows payment plans or arrangements, especially for large back-billed amounts or leak adjustments. The details can change over time, so it’s best to call and ask what options currently exist.

Water Quality in Atlanta: Safety, Taste, and Common Concerns

Where Atlanta’s Drinking Water Comes From

Atlanta’s drinking water typically comes from surface water sources, most notably:

• Chattahoochee River and related reservoirs

The water is treated at municipal plants before reaching your tap. Treatment usually includes:

• Filtration to remove particles
• Disinfection to reduce harmful microorganisms
• Additional steps to adjust pH and manage corrosion in pipes

Is Atlanta Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Within the City of Atlanta system, tap water is generally managed to meet established drinking water standards. Water quality is tested regularly for:

• Microorganisms
• Disinfection byproducts
• Metals such as lead and copper (often more related to plumbing materials inside older buildings than to the water source itself)
• Other common chemical parameters

Residents who want more detail can review:

• The city’s annual drinking water quality report
• Notices that accompany bills or are posted by the Department of Watershed Management when infrastructure work or temporary water issues occur

If you are concerned about water quality in your individual building—especially if it is older—you can talk with your building owner, property manager, or a qualified professional about in-building plumbing and possible testing options.

Taste, Odor, and Color

Atlanta residents sometimes notice:

• A chlorine-like taste or odor, especially close to treatment adjustments
• Slight cloudiness that clears after a few seconds (often just trapped air)
• Occasional brown or rusty water after nearby main breaks, hydrant flushing, or plumbing work

Common, practical steps include:

• Running the tap for a short time to see if water clears
• Using a pitcher with a standard filter if taste is bothersome
• Calling Watershed Management if discoloration is sudden, persistent, or localized to certain faucets

If your water is discolored, has a strong odor, or seems unusual, it is reasonable to avoid using it for drinking or cooking until the issue is understood or resolved.

Atlanta Water Pressure, Leaks, and Plumbing Issues

Typical Water Pressure in Atlanta

Water pressure can vary by neighborhood, building height, and distance from pumping stations. In some Atlanta areas—especially hilly neighborhoods or older multi-story buildings—residents notice:

• Lower pressure on upper floors
• Pressure that fluctuates at certain times of day

If your pressure suddenly drops across the entire building or home, it may indicate:

• A problem with the city’s main or a valve outside
• Work being done in the area
• A major leak on your property

Who Fixes What?

A general rule in Atlanta:

• City responsibility: Mains and lines in the street, public infrastructure, city-owned valves and hydrants, and meter equipment (with some exceptions)
• Property owner responsibility: Pipes from the meter to the building, indoor plumbing, private irrigation, and anything inside your property line

If you are a tenant, report problems to:

• Your landlord or property management for anything inside the building or on the property
• They may contact the city if they suspect an issue on the city side of the meter

What to Do If You Suspect a Leak

Signs of a possible leak in Atlanta homes:

• A constantly running toilet
• Wet spots in the yard when it hasn’t rained
• A sudden spike in your water bill
• Hissing sounds from pipes when no fixtures are on

✅ Steps to take:

1. Check your meter when all water is off:
   • If the meter dial is still moving, there may be a leak.
2. Turn off toilets one by one to see if the meter slows or stops.
3. Inspect visible pipes and outdoor spigots for drips or pooling water.
4. Contact:
   • A licensed plumber if the leak is on your side, or
   • Watershed Management if you suspect the leak is in the street or near the meter.

Atlanta often has procedures for leak adjustments on bills when a major leak is repaired, so keep receipts and documentation.

Stormwater, Flooding, and Heavy Rains in Atlanta

Atlanta’s combination of heavy summer storms, tree-lined streets, and older infrastructure means stormwater is an important part of the city’s water system.

Stormwater Fees on Your Bill

The stormwater charge on many water bills helps fund:

• Maintenance of storm drains and catch basins
• Projects to reduce localized flooding
• Upgrades to stormwater infrastructure as the city grows

Your fee may be partly based on your property’s impervious surface area (roofs, driveways, and surfaces that don’t absorb water).

Reporting Drain Problems or Flooding

If you notice:

• A clogged storm drain filled with leaves, trash, or sediment
• Repeated street flooding in the same spot
• A missing or damaged drain cover

You can report it to the City of Atlanta’s stormwater or watershed hotline or general customer service, giving:

• The closest street address or intersection
• A brief description of the problem (standing water, blockage, sinkhole, etc.)

In an immediate hazard or life-threatening situation due to flooding, residents often contact emergency services first.

Boil Water Advisories and Main Breaks in Atlanta

Atlanta occasionally experiences:

• Water main breaks, especially in older parts of the city
• Boil water advisories in affected zones after certain types of line breaks or pressure losses

How to Respond to a Boil Water Advisory

If a boil water advisory is issued in your area:

• Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, and washing dishes (as directed by officials).
• Follow any official guidance on how long to boil water and how to handle ice makers and filters.
• Continue until the city announces the advisory has been lifted.

People staying in hotels, short-term rentals, or campus housing should check notices from building management as well as city announcements.

Water Main Breaks

Signs of a nearby main break include:

• Sudden loss of pressure or no water
• Water gushing or pooling in the street
• Discolored water soon after the break is repaired

If you see a break or significant street leak, it is helpful to:

• Note the closest address or intersection
• Report it to Atlanta Watershed Management or the city’s non-emergency line

Assistance Programs, Billing Help, and Conservation in Atlanta

Help With Paying Your Water Bill

Atlanta residents with financial hardships sometimes qualify for:

• Payment plans or extended due dates
• Bill adjustment reviews after major leaks are repaired
• Low-income assistance programs offered or coordinated through city or partner organizations

If you’re struggling with water costs:

• Contact Watershed Management customer service early, before the account becomes severely overdue.
• Ask specifically about assistance programs, senior/low-income options, or flexible payment arrangements currently available.

Some community organizations in Atlanta also help residents negotiate or understand unusually high water bills.

Ways to Conserve Water in Atlanta

Reducing water use can lower your bill and help the city’s system cope with growth and drought periods. Common Atlanta-friendly steps:

• Fix leaky toilets and faucets promptly
• Install low-flow showerheads and aerators
• Water lawns early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation
• Choose drought-tolerant landscaping where possible
• Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines

During declared drought conditions, Atlanta and surrounding counties may implement outdoor watering restrictions. These rules often specify which days and times you can water. Violations can sometimes lead to fines, so it’s important to stay informed.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Water Basics

Understanding Atlanta’s city water system helps you manage your home, protect your property, and respond calmly when something goes wrong—whether that’s a surprise bill, a discolored tap, or a flooded curb after a storm. For anything beyond routine questions, your best next step is usually to contact the City of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management or, if you are outside city limits, your county water department.