Close the main valve the moment a pipe bursts or sewage starts backing up in your South Fulton home, and if you smell gas, leave and call 911 and Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 from outside. Then call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in South Fulton.
How water and sewer work in South Fulton
The City of South Fulton formed in 2017 from communities such as Cliftondale, Sandtown, Red Oak and Welcome All, and it does not run a water utility. Fulton County supplies drinking water only north of the Chattahoochee, so homes here get water from the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Atlanta's customer line is ATL 311, 404-546-0311. Some South Fulton accounts are held through the city rather than Atlanta directly, and Atlanta lists the City of South Fulton at 470-809-7700 for those.
Sewer is a separate agency. Fulton County Public Works provides wastewater service in much of the area and keeps a South Fulton sewer emergency line, 404-612-3163. Homes near Union City, Fairburn, East Point or College Park may be on one of those cities' systems instead, so the bill is the best guide.
Atlanta Watershed is responsible for the line from the main to the meter. From the meter to the house, the pipe is the owner's.
Whose problem is it?
| What you see | Likely owner | First call |
|---|---|---|
| Water bubbling up at the street or the meter box | Water provider | ATL 311 or the city, per your bill |
| Wet yard between meter and house | Homeowner | A plumber |
| Sewage spilling from a street manhole | Fulton County | 404-612-3163 |
| Backup in one house only | Homeowner's lateral | A plumber |
| Leak inside walls, floors or appliances | Homeowner | A plumber |
Signs to watch for
- A burst pipe or a supply hose that has come loose
- Toilets gurgling or overflowing when other fixtures drain
- A leaking water heater
- Stains spreading across a ceiling or wall
- A meter that keeps turning with every tap off
Timing and the seasons
Hard freezes are the classic trigger for split pipes in exterior walls, garages and crawl spaces. Holiday cooking sends grease down kitchen drains, and that is when laterals clog. Heavy summer storms can push water toward low crawl spaces. Whatever the season, close the main first, then call. Plumbing permits for the repair come from the City of South Fulton's Trades and MEP permitting office, not Fulton County. Nights and weekends usually cost more, so ask for the after-hours rate when you are connected. Arrival depends on the hour and the plumber's schedule, so no time is promised.
Emergency Plumber questions in South Fulton
Should I call the utility or a plumber first when the sewer backs up?
Water is pooling in the yard near the meter. Is that my repair or the utility's?
Does an emergency repair still need a plumbing permit?
A pipe just burst. What should I do in the first few minutes?
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