Water in the City of Atlanta: How Service, Quality, and Billing Work

Water in the City of Atlanta is managed almost entirely by the city government, and understanding how it works can make everyday life smoother—whether you live here, just moved in, or own a business in town. This guide walks through how Atlanta water service is organized, how to start or manage an account, what to know about water quality, and where to go when you need help.

Who Manages Water in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, public drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater are managed by the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM). If you:

• Turn on the tap in a home or apartment within city limits
• Pay a water/sewer bill from the City of Atlanta
• Have a leak, outage, or sewer issue on your block

…you’re almost always dealing with Atlanta Watershed Management.

Main administrative office (common reference point):
City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
72 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

For everyday customer issues like billing and service, most people use the city’s main customer service channels or visit a Customer Service Center rather than the administrative office.

Starting, Stopping, or Transferring Water Service

If you’re moving into or out of a home, apartment, or business in Atlanta, there are a few basic steps.

Starting Water Service

You’ll typically need to open an account with the City of Atlanta if:

• You’re a new resident within city limits
• You’re moving from one Atlanta address to another and want a new account in your name
• You’re opening or expanding a business that needs water service

You should be prepared to provide:

• Name and contact information
• Service address and mailing address (if different)
• Move-in date
• Identification (for many consumers this is a driver’s license or similar ID)
• For rental properties, lease information is often requested
• For businesses, business details such as legal name and tax ID may be needed

There is usually a deposit for new accounts, which may vary by whether the account is residential or commercial and by your payment history with the city or utility accounts elsewhere (if requested).

Stopping or Transferring Service

If you’re leaving Atlanta or just moving to another place within the city:

• Stopping service: Request a final read and account closure on your move-out date so you’re not billed after you leave.
• Transferring service: If you’re moving within Atlanta, you can typically request to end service at your old address and start at your new one as part of one process.

🔎 Tip: Make your start/stop/transfer request several business days in advance to avoid delays or overlapping bills.

Paying Your Atlanta Water Bill

Most homes and businesses in Atlanta receive a combined water and sewer bill from the City of Atlanta.

How You’re Charged

Your bill generally includes:

• Water usage charges – based on how much water you use (measured in gallons or cubic feet)
• Sewer charges – often based on water usage, since most water that goes in is assumed to go out through the sewer
• Base fees or service charges – fixed monthly charges that help cover infrastructure and administration

Bills may also show:

• Stormwater charges (often more visible for commercial properties)
• Past due balances or payment arrangement details, if applicable

Payment Options

The City of Atlanta usually offers multiple ways to pay:

• Online portal – for one-time payments or setting up automatic payments
• By phone – automated payment lines
• By mail – sending a check or money order
• In person – at a City of Atlanta Water Customer Service Center

Common in-person locations (these are widely referenced points of service; always verify current hours before visiting):

City of Atlanta Customer Service – City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Some residents also use authorized payment centers (such as partner retail locations) to pay in cash. These are commonly used when online payment isn’t convenient.

Water Quality in Atlanta: What to Expect

Most people in Atlanta receive treated drinking water from surface water sources (such as rivers and reservoirs) that is processed at city-owned treatment plants.

Is Atlanta Tap Water Safe?

City tap water in Atlanta is treated and monitored to meet federal and state drinking water standards. Consumers generally find:

• Water is disinfected (commonly with chlorine or related disinfectants)
• Levels of regulated substances (like lead, copper, and some minerals) are monitored
• Regular water quality reports are made available to the public

If you live in:

• An older home, especially pre-1980s: Plumbing materials inside the building can sometimes affect water delivered into your tap, particularly if pipes or fixtures contain older materials.
• A multi-unit building: Maintenance of internal plumbing by the property owner or manager can also influence water taste, color, or pressure.

If you notice cloudy water, discoloration, unusual odor, or a sudden change in taste, residents commonly:

• Run the tap for several minutes to see if it clears
• Check whether neighbors are experiencing the same thing
• Contact the city’s water customer service or a non-emergency line to report the issue

Lead and Older Plumbing

The city focuses on keeping treated water within accepted safety limits at the plant and in the distribution system. However, older service lines and interior plumbing can introduce risks.

Consumers who are particularly concerned often:

• Request information about their service line from the city
• Run tap water for a short period first thing in the morning
• Use a certified home filter designed for specific contaminants (chosen based on their own preferences and risk tolerance)

Common Water Issues in Atlanta and How to Handle Them

1. Low Pressure or No Water

If you turn on the tap and pressure is weak or there’s no water:

1. Check whether it’s only one faucet or the whole property.
2. Ask a neighbor if they are experiencing the same problem.
3. If the issue appears to be broader, contact the City of Atlanta Watershed Management customer service or city non-emergency line to report it.

Construction, main breaks, or maintenance can cause temporary outages or low pressure in certain neighborhoods.

2. High Water Bill or Suspected Leak

Many Atlantans occasionally see a spike in their water bill. Common reasons include:

• Hidden leaks (toilets, irrigation lines, underground service lines)
• Seasonal watering of lawns or gardens
• Running appliances more often (e.g., filling pools, frequent laundry)

Steps most people take:

• Check toilets for continuous running sounds or dye tests in the tank.
• Inspect visible plumbing and irrigation for drips or wet spots in the yard.
• Compare the current bill with past bills to see usage patterns.
• Contact the city if the increase is large and unexplained; some customers may ask about billing reviews, meter rereads, or leak adjustment policies.

Building owners may hire a plumber to inspect for leaks, especially if they suspect a line break between the meter and the building.

3. Discolored or Cloudy Water

Short-term discoloration (yellow or brownish tint) can happen after:

• Fire hydrant use
• Main breaks or repairs
• Changes in flow direction in city pipes

Residents typically:

• Avoid doing laundry until water clears
• Run cold water taps for a few minutes
• Report persistent discoloration, particularly if it lasts more than a few hours or returns repeatedly.

Cloudy or milky water can sometimes be due to trapped air and may clear after standing in a glass for a short time. Persistent unusual odor or color is a reason many people call the city to log a concern.

Atlanta Water and Sewer: Who’s Responsible for What?

In Atlanta, responsibility is generally divided between:

Consumers in Atlanta commonly contact:

• The city if a problem appears in the street, sidewalk, or at the meter.
• A licensed plumber if the issue appears to be on private property (backups only inside, leaks after the meter, etc.).

Water Service for Renters vs. Owners in Atlanta

Water accounts in Atlanta can be set up under owners or tenants, depending on how the property is managed.

Renters

In many Atlanta rentals:

• Water and sewer may be included in rent, especially in large apartment communities.
• Some apartment complexes bill tenants separately based on sub-metering or allocation methods; in those cases the complex (not the city) may send a bill.
• For single-family rentals or small buildings, the tenant may hold the city account directly.

If you rent:

• Review your lease carefully to see who is responsible for the water bill.
• If water is shut off or threatened with shutoff, renters often contact both the landlord and the city to understand the situation.

Homeowners and Landlords

Homeowners and landlords typically:

• Hold the water account in their name
• Are responsible for plumbing maintenance on the property
• Often manage or oversee leak repairs when bills spike

If you buy a home in Atlanta, your closing process usually includes steps to transfer or start a water account as part of changing over utilities.

Conservation and Wise Water Use in Atlanta

While Atlanta has made significant investments in water infrastructure, the region is known for periodic droughts and ongoing conservation efforts.

Common water-wise habits in the city include:

• Fixing leaks promptly (especially toilets and irrigation)
• Using low-flow fixtures for showers and faucets
• Running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
• Watering lawns early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation

The city often promotes conservation tips and may periodically adjust guidelines during dry conditions.

Stormwater, Flooding, and Drainage in Atlanta

The City of Atlanta also manages much of the stormwater system, which helps handle rainwater and reduce flooding.

Residents may notice:

• Storm drains on streets and curbs
• Detention ponds or green infrastructure in newer developments

If you see blocked drains, street flooding, or manhole issues, people commonly report it through city service channels so maintenance crews can respond.

For property-level flooding that seems related to grading, gutters, or private drainage, homeowners frequently work with contractors or landscapers to improve on-site drainage, while still reporting any suspected public-system issues to the city.

When You Need Help: Key Atlanta Water Contacts

When you have a problem with water service, sewer backups in the street, billing questions, or suspected leaks at the meter, the main point of contact is the City of Atlanta’s water customer service structure.

Typical options residents use include:

• Customer service phone lines – for billing, start/stop service, and basic questions
• 24/7 emergency or after-hours lines – for urgent water main breaks, major leaks in public right-of-way, or sewer overflows
• Walk-in customer service centers – for in-person billing questions, documentation, and some account services

Commonly referenced in-person location:

City of Atlanta Water Customer Service (City Hall)
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Many Atlantans also rely on the City of Atlanta 311-style information and service request system (or comparable non-emergency contact options) to:

• Report water main breaks or low pressure
• Report sewer overflows or strong sewer odors outdoors
• Ask about solid waste, stormwater, or other city services along with water

What Visitors and Short-Term Residents Should Know

If you’re visiting Atlanta:

• Tap water in hotels, restaurants, and most public venues is generally safe to drink and widely used.
• Restaurants commonly serve ice and tap water without issue.
• If there is ever a boil water advisory or similar alert in part of the city, it’s typically communicated through local news, city announcements, and in many cases directly by hotels and major venues.

If you’re staying longer-term (internship, multi-month rental, or temporary job):

• Ask your landlord or host who pays for water and how.
• Make sure you know where the shutoff valve is inside the unit or condo (often near a water heater or in a utility closet), in case of minor leaks.

By understanding how water service in the City of Atlanta is structured—who manages it, how you’re billed, and what to do when something goes wrong—you can navigate everyday issues more confidently, whether you’re a long-time resident, new arrival, or business owner in Atlanta.