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Meters

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Delinquent, Payment and Reconnection
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Engineering Information
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Water Quality
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25.

Backflow Prevention
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26.

Sewer Blockages
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Streets
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29.

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32.

Solid Waste Management
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1.

There is a water main break.  When will it be repaired?
Any main break is considered an emergency.  A crew will be dispatched to the location immediately to make all necessary repairs.

2. 

A fire hydrant has been hit.  When will it be repaired?
When a fire hydrant has been hit, a crew is sent to the site as soon as possible.  If there is a valve on the hydrant, it will be shut down.  There may be some hydrants throughout the City that may not have a shut off valve; therefore, the main would need to be shut down temporarily.

3. 

A fire hydrant is leaking.  When will it be repaired?
If the fire hydrant is leaking, it will be repaired as soon as possible.

4. 

Why are water crews working on my street?
There may be times when you notice crews on or near your street.  This might be because of a broken main, water leak, repairs, or the installation of a new service line.

5. 

How long is the water going to be off?
If the water is off due to a break in a 6" or 12" main, expect the water to be off no more than 4 hours.  If it is off due to a service line leak, expect the water to be off not longer than 2 hours.

6.

How much does it cost to get a new meter?
Click here for pricing information.

7. 

What does the price of a new meter cost?
Tapping the main, installation of the meter, the cost of the meter and the cost of labor and equipment needed to bring the service line to the customers property.

8.  

I just purchased a water meter.  When can I expect it to be installed?
Normal installation time is one to two weeks, depending on the water staff's schedule and current weather conditions.

9. 

Can a plumber install my meter?
No.  The meter is located on the City's right-of-way.  A plumber can only work on private property unless contracted through the City.

10. 

How do I get my meter relocated?
Contact Austell Public Works at (770) 944-4325 for further information.

11. 

My meter is leaking.  When can I have it repaired?
If the leak is on the City's side, we will make repairs within one week.  If the leak is on your side, it will be your responsibility to have the repairs made.

12. 

How often is my meter read?
Meters are normally read every 30 days.

13.  

I believe my meter has been over read.  How can we determine if it has been read correctly?
You may contact City Hall at (770) 944-4300 to request that your meter be checked.

14. 

What is the cost of a service deposit?
The cost of a service deposit is $75.00 and must be paid at the time application for water is made.

15. 

When is my utility bill due?
Payments are due no later than the 10th of the following month.  Accounts not paid by that time will be subject to a late fee.  Payments can be made at the drive through window or at the front desk during regular business hours.  You may also drop your bill in the drop box located on the east side of City Hall after hours. 

16. 

How much of my water bill must I pay to prevent interruption of my water?
The amount past due must be paid in full.

17.  

I am unable to pay the entire balance.  Can I make payment arrangements?
To make payment arrangements, please contact City Hall at (770) 944-4300.

18. 

Why has my water been interrupted?
Your water could be turned off for one or more of the following reasons:  (1)  non-payment, (2) no name on account (Occupant), (3) returned check or (4) work being performed on line.

19. 

How do I get my service back on after being interrupted?
You must pay the past due balance in order for service to be restored.

20. 

My water has been turned off.  What is the procedure for reconnection?
If your water has been interrupted and you feel this was an error, please contact (770) 944-4300 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M..  If you are calling after hours, you may call the Austell Communications Department at (770) 944-4320.

When service has been interrupted for non-payment, the past due amount of the bill must be paid in full before service is reconnected.  A delinquent charge will also be assessed to your account.

21. 

I need to see if water is available at an address.  How do I get an availability letter?
Contact the Department of Public Works at (770) 944-4325 for more information.

22. 

Can the City of Austell provide water service for my development?
In most areas, we are able to provide water to new developments.  To make certain, please contact Austell Public Works at (770) 944-4325 for verification.

23. 

Why is my water brown?
Brown water is usually due to disturbance within the distribution system.  A main break may have occurred, but it usually is due to a galvanized water line.

24. 

I taste chlorine in my water.  Why?
Chlorine taste can come from many things.  The water may be high in chlorine.  If the chlorine is low, it can give you an iodine taste due to not having enough chlorine to kill everything that is present.

25.

My water smells funny.  Is it ok for human consumption?
A smell in the water can come from a number of things.  If you have a home filtration system in your house, that can cause a smell.  A water sample can be taken for testing to determine whether your water is good for consumption.

26. 

What is the purpose?
The purpose of a backflow prevention device is to keep unsafe drinking water from mixing with the potable water supply.  A backflow prevention device is installed on all new residential meters, irrigation systems, fire sprinkler systems, commercial facilities where chemicals are used, boiled systems, and other systems where drinking water could become contaminated.

Visit our Backflow Prevention section to learn more about this program.

27. 

What do I do if I have problems with my sewer?
At times the drains in your home or business may get clogged.  You may also notice an overflow near the property line coming from your clean-out.

If you experience sewage problems, you must contact a plumber who will determine if the problem is on your line or the City's line.  If the problem is found to be on the City's line, contact City Hall immediately.  A crew will be dispatched to your location within minutes to correct the problem.

28. 

How do I report a problem with a traffic signal or street light?
To report problems with traffic signals or street lights, please contact Austell Public Works at (770) 944-4325.   After hours or weekends, please contact the Austell Police Department at (770) 944-4318.  When reporting traffic signal or street light outages, please provide us with the location of the outage.  This will assist us in getting the outage repaired in a much more timely manner.

29. 

How do I report a road sign that is down?
To report a road sign that is down, please contact Austell Public Works.  When calling, please give the location of the sign and what type of sign it is.

30.

Reporting road and sidewalk repairs.
To report potholes in roads or damages to sidewalks, curbs or gutters, please contact Austell Public Works at (770) 944-4325.  Please state the location of the damage and we will have a crew repair the problem.

31.  

I want speed bumps installed in my neighborhood.  What are the procedures?
To request speed humps on your street, you will need to present a petition to Austell Public Works.  No consideration will be given without a petition.  The petition must be signed by the seventy percent of residents living in an area which will be affected.  Once your petition has been received, it will be presented to the Department Committee for recommendation then to the City Council for approval.  If approved, normal approval time is two months.

32. 

What are the procedures for requesting that street light be installed where I live?
To request a street light on your street, you will need to present a petition to Austell Public Works.  No consideration will be given without a petition.  The petition must be signed by the majority of residents living in an area which will be affected.  Once your petition has been received, it will be presented to the Department Committee and to the City Council for approval.  If approved, normal approval time is two months.

33. 

When is garbage collected and where can I purchase garbage bags?
Garbage collection for the City is each Monday.  If Monday is a holiday, garbage will be collected the following day.  Please have your garbage at the curbside no later than 7:00 A.M.

If you are disabled, please provide a letter from your physician stating the nature of your disability.  This will allow our Sanitation crew to pick up your garbage at your specified location, rather than at curbside.

The City of Austell uses a pay-as-you-throw program and utilizes yellow and blue bags.  Sanitation crews will not pick up garbage not in a yellow or blue bag.  Garbage bags may be purchased at City Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. either inside or the drive through window.  Bags also may be purchased at the Police Department or the Fire Department twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.

Cost of bags:

• 20 Gallon Yellow Bag:    $1.50 each

• 32 Gallon Blue Bag:       $2.75 each

This cost includes the price of the bag, pick-up by our Sanitation crew and disposal of the garbage.

Please note that participation in the pay-as-you-throw program is non-mandatory.  

34.   

When is curbside recycling collected?
Curbside recycling collection is handled through Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (BFI) in Atlanta and is normally picked up every Wednesday.  For questions or service complaints, please direct your inquiry to (404) 794-1145.

35. 

What will the City pickup during the City-wide clean-up?
In April and October of each year, the Department of Public Works offers its residents a pick up of items not normally picked up during any other month.  Following are items that cannot be picked up due to Federal and State regulations.

36. 

Will the City collect my limbs and leaves?
Leaf and limb collection are picked up according to your address.  Please view the collection schedule to determine your pick up dates.