Atlanta Utility Works: How Utilities and City Services Work in Atlanta, Georgia

Navigating utilities in Atlanta can feel confusing, especially if you’re new to the city, moving between neighborhoods, or trying to understand who handles what. “Atlanta utility works” can refer to everything from water and sewer to electricity, natural gas, trash pickup, and public works services that keep the city running.

This guide breaks down how utilities work in Atlanta, who you contact for what, and what to expect as a resident, renter, homeowner, or visitor.

Key Utility Providers in Atlanta at a Glance

Below is a simple overview of who typically handles core utility services inside the City of Atlanta. Always confirm based on your specific address, since coverage areas can vary around city limits and within metro Atlanta.

Water and Sewer: City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management

If your address is within City of Atlanta limits, your water and sewer service is usually provided by the Department of Watershed Management.

What They Handle

• Turning water service on or off
• New service for homebuyers, renters, and businesses
• Billing questions and payment arrangements
• Water main breaks, low pressure, or service outages
• Sewer backups (from the street/main line side)
• Stormwater fee questions

Main Office (Administration & Customer Service)

• Usually associated with:
  • 72 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (City of Atlanta offices)
• General information is typically accessed through:
  • ATL 311 (dial 3-1-1 from within city limits or the local number often listed on your bill)

For account setup or transfer, you’ll typically need:

• A valid ID
• Your lease, closing statement, or proof of residency
• Start/stop service dates

📝 Tip: If you’re moving into an apartment in Atlanta, check whether water is billed directly to you or included in rent. Many multi-family properties handle water through the property management company rather than having each tenant open a city account.

Electric Service in Atlanta

Most homes and businesses in the City of Atlanta are served by Georgia Power.

Common Electric Needs

Residents typically contact the electric utility for:

• Starting or stopping service when moving
• Transferring service to a new address
• Reporting power outages or downed lines
• Questions about bills or payment assistance programs
• Setting up automatic payments or budget billing

New to Atlanta?
If you’re renting or buying, your landlord, property manager, or real estate agent can often confirm which electric provider serves your exact address. Almost all inside-city addresses use Georgia Power, but just outside city limits, some areas are served by electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) instead.

🧾 Credit checks and deposits: Electric utilities often require a deposit or do a credit check for new accounts. Ask about deposit options, waivers, or how a good payment history can reduce deposits over time.

Natural Gas: Multiple Marketers, One Pipeline System

Atlanta uses a deregulated natural gas market, which means:

• Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) owns and maintains the pipes.
• You choose a natural gas marketer (a private company) for billing and supply.

How Natural Gas Works for Atlanta Residents

1. Confirm you have natural gas service at your address (many Atlanta homes use gas for heat, hot water, or cooking).
2. Choose a gas marketer that serves the Atlanta area.
3. Set up an account and schedule start service.
4. AGL might handle the physical turn-on at the meter, but you work directly with your chosen marketer for billing.

📌 Important: Because you have options, it’s common for Atlanta residents to compare:

• Monthly base charges
• Per-therm rates
• Contract length and early termination fees

If you’re renting, check your lease: some properties arrange gas on behalf of tenants; others require each unit to have its own account.

Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste: City of Atlanta Public Works

Within city limits, residential solid waste services (for many single-family homes and some small multi-family properties) are handled by:

City of Atlanta – Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Services

• Main offices are often associated with the 1200-1300 block of North Avenue NW / Joseph E. Lowery Blvd area, but your main interaction will be through:
  • ATL 311 or the city’s online service request portal

Services Typically Included

• Weekly household garbage collection
• Recycling pickup (where available)
• Yard trimmings pickup (bagged leaves, small branches, grass clippings)
• Bulk item pickup (mattresses, appliances) — sometimes by request and with limits

🗑️ Cart Issues
Call or request service if you:

• Need a new cart for a new address
• Have a broken or missing cart
• Want to request different cart sizes (where allowed)

If you live in a condo, mid-rise, or high-rise, your trash and recycling may be handled by a private hauler contracted by the property, rather than the City of Atlanta. Check with your building management.

ATL 311: Your Starting Point for City Services

For many non-emergency utility and public works questions in Atlanta, your best first step is often ATL 311.

What You Can Use ATL 311 For

• Reporting water leaks, water main breaks, or sewer issues in the street
• Requesting trash/recycling cart repairs or replacements
• Reporting missed garbage or recycling pickups
• Asking about city bills, fines, or fees
• Reporting potholes, streetlight issues, or drainage problems

How to Contact ATL 311

• Dial 3-1-1 from most Atlanta numbers
• If calling from outside the city or if 3-1-1 doesn’t work, look for the 10-digit alternative number on the City of Atlanta website or a city bill
• Many residents also use ATL 311’s online portal and mobile app to submit service requests and track progress

Moving to or Within Atlanta: Setting Up Utilities

If you’re moving into Atlanta or changing addresses inside the city, you’ll generally need to work through these steps:

1. Confirm Your Exact Address and Jurisdiction

Metro Atlanta is a patchwork of:

• City of Atlanta
• Other cities (Decatur, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, etc.)
• Unincorporated areas of surrounding counties

Your mailing address might say “Atlanta” even if you’re technically outside City of Atlanta limits, which can change who handles:

• Water and sewer
• Trash and recycling

Use your lease, property tax records, or questions to your landlord or closing attorney to confirm which city/county you’re in.

2. Set Up Water and Sewer

If you’re in the City of Atlanta:

• Contact the Department of Watershed Management (often via ATL 311 or online portal)
• Provide move-in date and documentation
• Confirm billing name, mailing address, and preferred contact details

If you’re in another jurisdiction (for example, DeKalb County water for some east-side addresses), you’ll set up service with that county’s water department instead.

3. Start Electric Service

• Identify the electric provider for your location (usually Georgia Power in the city)
• Call or use online signup to:
  • Set a start date
  • Confirm any deposits or ID requirements
• Ask about outage reporting options (text, app, online)

4. Arrange Natural Gas (If Needed)

• Confirm that your home uses natural gas (check the stove, water heater, HVAC, or ask your landlord).
• Choose a natural gas marketer serving metro Atlanta.
• Set up your account several days before move-in to avoid delays.

5. Understand Trash and Recycling

• If in the City of Atlanta and in a single-family residence, check:
  • Your solid waste fee on your bill or property tax
  • Pickup days for garbage, recycling, and yard waste
• If in an apartment or condo, ask the property manager:
  • Where to bring trash and recycling
  • Whether there are rules on bulk items or cardboard disposal

Utility Emergencies vs. Routine Service in Atlanta

Knowing who to call and when can save time and prevent damage.

Always Call 9-1-1 For:

• Downed power lines sparking or blocking roads
• Gas leaks with a strong odor of gas
• Flooding that threatens safety or structure stability
• Any immediate threat to life or property

Call the Utility or City Service For:

• Electric outages (electric provider’s outage line or app)
• Water main breaks, no water, or sewer backups from the street (ATL 311 or Watershed emergency line listed on your bill)
• Blocked storm drains, street flooding, or dangerous potholes (ATL 311)

🧯 Inside your home, issues like:

• Leaking indoor pipes
• Electrical problems with your panel or outlets
• Broken appliances

…are typically your or your landlord’s responsibility, not the city’s. In rentals, report problems to your property manager or maintenance office promptly.

Common Utility Questions for Atlanta Residents

Why are there multiple gas companies but only one set of gas pipes?

In Atlanta, Atlanta Gas Light owns and operates the gas distribution system. Different gas marketers sell the gas itself and handle billing. You choose the marketer; AGL delivers the gas through its pipes.

Does every “Atlanta” address use City of Atlanta water?

No. Some addresses with an “Atlanta, GA” mailing address may actually be in:

• Unincorporated Fulton County
• DeKalb County
• Other nearby cities

Those areas might have county or city water departments separate from the City of Atlanta system.

Who fixes a water leak in my yard?

• If the leak is between the water meter and your home, it’s usually the property owner’s responsibility.
• If it’s at or before the meter, in the street, or clearly on the main line, it’s generally handled by the water utility (in-city: Department of Watershed Management).

Many residents start with ATL 311 to report the issue and get direction.

How Visitors Interact With Atlanta Utilities

If you’re visiting Atlanta short-term, you’ll rarely deal directly with utility providers. Instead, you’ll notice utilities in ways like:

• Tap water quality in hotels, restaurants, and event venues
• Streetlights, traffic signals, and road maintenance handled by city public works
• Trash and recycling in public spaces and parks

If you’re hosting a large event, filming, or using public spaces, you may interact with city departments for:

• Temporary water access or hydrant use permits
• Street closures or right-of-way permits
• Extra trash and recycling pickups

These requests usually go through City of Atlanta departments and sometimes require permits, fees, and advance notice.

If You’re Not Sure Who to Call

For most utility or city-service questions inside Atlanta, a practical rule of thumb is:

1. Start with ATL 311 for water, sewer, trash, street, or general city service questions.
2. Contact your electric provider for any power-related issues.
3. Contact your gas marketer or Atlanta Gas Light for gas-related matters.
4. Check with your landlord or property manager if you’re renting and unsure who handles what.

Using these steps, you can usually sort out how Atlanta utility works at your specific address and get to the right office or service quickly.