Understanding City of Atlanta Water and Sewer Rates: A Practical Guide

If you live in Atlanta, are moving here, or own property in the city, water and sewer rates will be a noticeable part of your monthly bills. Atlanta is known for having relatively high water and sewer costs compared with many other U.S. cities, so it’s worth understanding how the rates work, what you’re actually paying for, and how you can manage your bill.

This guide focuses specifically on City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management customers (inside city limits and some nearby service areas).

Who Sets Water and Sewer Rates in Atlanta?

Water and sewer services in most of Atlanta are provided by the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. This department:

• Operates drinking water treatment and distribution
• Manages wastewater collection and treatment
• Maintains stormwater infrastructure in many areas

Rates are approved by the Atlanta City Council and are influenced by:

• The cost of maintaining and upgrading aging water and sewer systems
• Legal and regulatory requirements (especially for sewer overflows)
• Bond repayments for large infrastructure projects
• Operating costs like staffing, electricity, and chemicals

If you are in an area of metro Atlanta that is not served by the City of Atlanta, you may receive bills from your county or another city system instead (for example, DeKalb County, Fulton County, or Cobb County). Their rate structures are different.

How Atlanta Water and Sewer Bills Are Structured

Your monthly water and sewer bill from the City of Atlanta usually includes:

1. Water usage charges
2. Sewer service charges
3. Base or service fees
4. Stormwater charges (for many customers)
5. Taxes or small regulatory fees where applicable

Most residential customers have a metered account, so your bill is based on how much water you actually use.

1. Water Usage: How You’re Charged

Water usage is usually billed based on gallons or hundred cubic feet (CCF) tracked by your meter. Atlanta uses a tiered rate structure for many customers, meaning:

• Lower tiers (basic indoor use) are charged at a lower rate
• Higher tiers (heavy or excessive use) are charged at a higher rate

This pricing setup is intended to:

• Encourage conservation
• Make essential use more affordable than high, discretionary use (like large irrigation systems or constant outdoor watering)

For a typical household, you’ll see that:

• Most of your bill is driven by how much water you use
• Leaks and running toilets can quickly push you into higher cost tiers

2. Sewer Charges: Often Higher Than Water

For many Atlanta customers, the sewer portion of the bill is equal to or higher than the water portion. Sewer rates help pay for:

• Treatment of wastewater at Atlanta’s treatment plants
• Maintenance and replacement of sewer lines
• Compliance with federal and state environmental standards
• Fixing and preventing sewer overflows and backups

In many cases, sewer usage is assumed to match your water consumption, especially for standard residential customers. That means:

• If you use more water, your sewer charge also rises, even if some water (like lawn watering) doesn’t go down the drain.
• This can be frustrating in summer when irrigation is high, but it’s a common billing method nationwide.

3. Base Fees and Service Charges

Even if you use very little water, you will usually see:

• A fixed monthly base charge or service fee
  This covers:
  • Meter reading and maintenance
  • Account management and billing
  • Keeping infrastructure ready to serve you 24/7

These charges don’t change based on your usage and are part of why very low-use households sometimes still see relatively high bills.

4. Stormwater Charges

In many parts of Atlanta, you’ll also pay a stormwater fee. This can be structured based on:

• The size of your property
• The amount of impervious surface (roof, driveway, etc.) that affects runoff
• A flat fee for certain customer classes

Stormwater charges help fund:

• Upkeep of drainage systems
• Flood control and infrastructure improvements
• Water quality protections for local creeks and the Chattahoochee River

Typical Cost Patterns for Atlanta Residents

Exact numbers change over time and vary by usage, but common consumer experiences in Atlanta include:

• A small apartment or condo with low water use still seeing a bill that feels high because of base, sewer, and stormwater fees.
• A family home with moderate use paying a significant share for sewer, sometimes more than for water.
• Spikes in bills after:
  • A hidden leak
  • Guests staying over for an extended period
  • Increased outdoor watering in summer

Many residents notice that sewer charges are the biggest single line item on their bill, followed by water usage, then base and stormwater charges.

Understanding Your City of Atlanta Water Bill

When you receive your Atlanta Department of Watershed Management bill, it typically includes:

• Service address and account number
• Billing period dates
• Meter readings and usage for the period
• Separate line items for:
  • Water usage
  • Sewer service
  • Base/service fees
  • Stormwater charges
  • Applicable taxes or surcharges
• Past-due balance, if any
• Payment due date

Key Things to Check on Your Bill

• Usage compared to past months
  A sudden jump can signal a leak or ongoing issue.
• Number of days in the billing period
  Longer billing cycles naturally produce higher bills.
• Customer class
  Make sure you’re correctly listed (e.g., residential vs commercial), since rates differ.

If your usage or charges don’t make sense, you can contact Atlanta Watershed Management Customer Service to request a review or explain the breakdown.

Where Atlanta Water and Sewer Rates Go

Many Atlanta residents wonder why water and sewer rates are relatively high compared with some other cities. In broad terms, your payments fund:

• Replacement of aging pipes and mains
  Much of Atlanta’s water and sewer system is older infrastructure that needs constant work.
• Upgrades to prevent sewer overflows
  Atlanta has invested heavily in fixing combined sewer overflow issues and meeting environmental requirements.
• Operation of treatment plants
  Treating drinking water and wastewater is energy- and equipment-intensive.
• Debt repayment
  Long-term improvement projects are often financed through bonds that must be repaid over time.
• Emergency repairs and maintenance
  Water main breaks, sewer backups, and storm damage all require immediate costly work.

For consumers, this translates into higher monthly bills, but also into more reliable service and improved environmental performance over time.

How to Estimate Your Atlanta Water and Sewer Bill

You can get a rough sense of your potential bill by considering:

1. Household size and habits
   • More people usually means more showers, laundry, and dishwashing.
2. Type of home
   • Single-family homes often use more water than condos or apartments, especially if there’s a yard.
3. Outdoor usage
   • Irrigation systems, pools, and frequent car washing will increase consumption.
4. Leak status
   • Even a slow, unnoticed leak can quietly add significant cost.

A practical way to estimate:

• Look at your last 2–3 months of usage in gallons or CCF.
• Assume similar usage going forward unless your situation changes.
• Build in some margin for seasonal changes (higher in hot months for many households).

If you’re moving into Atlanta from another city:

• Bring copies of recent water bills from your old home.
• Expect Atlanta bills to be the same or higher, especially on the sewer side, even if your usage is similar.

Ways to Lower Your Atlanta Water and Sewer Bill

Even though rates are set by the City and not negotiable, you do have control over your usage, which can significantly affect your total monthly cost.

1. Fix Leaks Quickly

Common culprits:

• Running toilets
• Dripping faucets
• Underground or slab leaks
• Irrigation system leaks

🚰 Tip: If your usage suddenly jumps without explanation, call the City’s customer service and consider having a plumber check for leaks.

2. Use Water-Efficient Fixtures and Appliances

Look for:

• High-efficiency toilets
• Low-flow showerheads and faucets
• Water-saving dishwashers and washing machines

Small changes in daily habits (shorter showers, full loads of laundry) can add up quickly over a billing cycle.

3. Adjust Outdoor Watering

• Water lawns early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Check Atlanta’s outdoor watering guidelines or restrictions during dry periods.
• Consider drought-tolerant landscaping or reducing irrigated lawn area.

4. Monitor Your Meter

You can usually find your water meter near the street at your property:

• Turn off all water.
• Check the meter reading.
• Wait 20–30 minutes without using water and check again.
• If the numbers move, you may have a leak.

Assistance Programs and Bill Adjustments

Some Atlanta customers may qualify for financial assistance or adjustments, especially in cases of hardship or unexpected high bills.

Common Options May Include

• Payment arrangements or plans
  Allowing you to spread a large bill over multiple months.
• Leak adjustment requests
  If you had a verified, repaired leak, the City may offer partial relief for one or more high bills.
• Discounts or assistance for qualifying low-income, senior, or disabled customers
  These programs can change over time, so check current eligibility and availability.

If you think you qualify for assistance:

• Reach out directly to Watershed Management Customer Service
• Ask about current customer assistance programs, leak adjustments, and payment plans

New to Atlanta? Setting Up or Transferring Water and Sewer Service

If you’ve just moved to Atlanta or are preparing to move, you’ll need to:

1. Open a new water and sewer account with the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (if your property is served by the City).
2. Provide:
   • Identification
   • Proof of residence or property ownership/lease
   • Contact information
3. Ask:
   • What is the billing cycle and due date?
   • Are there any deposits or connection fees?
   • How can you access your account online?

Property managers, landlords, or closing attorneys often help with this process, but it’s wise to confirm your account details directly.

Contacting the City of Atlanta About Water and Sewer

For billing questions, rate explanations, or service issues, you can contact:

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management – Customer Service
· Commonly accessed via the City’s 311 system or local customer service numbers
· In-person assistance is often available at designated customer service centers within the city government complex or Watershed Management offices

When you reach out, have ready:

• Your account number
• Service address
• Recent bill
• Any specific questions or issues (e.g., “My usage doubled this month and I don’t know why”)

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Water and Sewer Rates

Quick summary for Atlanta residents and newcomers:

• Water and sewer bills in Atlanta are typically higher than in many other cities, largely due to infrastructure and environmental obligations.
• Your bill is made up of:
  • Water usage charges
  • Sewer charges (often equal to or higher than water)
  • Base service fees
  • Stormwater fees
• Usage and leaks are the biggest factors you can control.
• There are assistance options and bill adjustments available in some situations.
• Understanding your bill structure and monitoring your meter and usage can prevent surprises.

At-a-Glance: How an Atlanta Water & Sewer Bill Works

Understanding these pieces makes it much easier to budget for living in Atlanta, compare housing options, and spot any problems early when your water and sewer bill arrives each month.