Snellville gets Gwinnett County water, which the county lists at about 1.34 grains per gallon on average, which is soft. That makes a softener a rare need; filters, heater service and old-equipment checks are more common. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Snellville.
Snellville has no water department; its building permit page lists Gwinnett County Water & Sewer, and new construction needs Gwinnett DWR tap receipts. Water is Lake Lanier water from Gwinnett's Shoal Creek and Lanier plants, chlorinated and fluoridated. Gwinnett lists hardness at 1.05 to 1.87 grains per gallon, averaging 1.34. The median Snellville home dates to 1991, and about 30% were built before 1980, so water heaters and some supply lines are aging.
What to do now
- Accept the numbers. Soft county water rarely needs softening. If you see heavy scale anyway, test to make sure.
- Pick a taste fix. Chlorine taste is the most common complaint, and carbon handles it.
- Look at the water heater. Grit and rust tint on the hot side point there.
- Review old equipment. A softener left by a previous owner may be wasting salt.
- Check your line. Gwinnett's service line lookup is at GwinnettCounty.com/ServiceLines.
Symptom and likely cause
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Chlorine smell | Normal disinfection |
| Brown tint on hot water only | Water heater sediment or corrosion |
| Rust at first draw on both sides | Aging supply pipe in an older home |
| Slick-feeling water | A softener on water that is already soft |
| Low pressure throughout | Pressure regulator or a leak |
Cost factors
- Carbon filter size and location
- Removing or servicing an existing softener
- Heater or pipe work found during the visit
- Main line access and drain location
The City of Snellville issues building permits and does its own inspections, with 24 hours' notice. Plumbing subcontractors file subcontractor affidavits, and the city has a local amendment to the plumbing code covering water efficiency. Ask the plumber whether your install needs a permit.
In the older parts of town, where some homes date from before 1980, the most useful visit may combine a quick hardness check with a look at the supply line and water heater. If the pipes are the source of rust, money spent on filtration only delays the repair. In newer homes, the answer is usually a carbon filter for taste and nothing more, because the county's soft water leaves little scale for a softener to prevent.
Water Softeners & Filtration questions in Snellville
Is Gwinnett County water hard or soft?
Why does my water sometimes look rusty or cloudy?
Should I check my service line before adding filtration?
Does my home need both a softener and a filter?
More plumbing services in Snellville
Water Softeners & Filtration nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: