Customer Service | Adjustments and Payment Plans
Is your water bill unusually high? Does it show a significant
increase in the amount of water used in your household?
When you receive your water and sewer bill, be sure and pay close attention
to the amount of water you use (consumption) each month. If you notice
on your bill that your water consumption has increased significantly*
or if your bill has gradually been getting larger and does not decrease
throughout several read cycles (approximately four months of bills),
you may have a leak.
(*A significant increase is more than 25% in a one-month period and
the increase was not caused by guests or new residents in the household
using more water, increased water activity during summer, etc.)
What to do
The first step is to find and stop the leak! Running toilets and dripping
faucets waste water and cost money. Check all your faucets and water
mechanisms to ensure that they are tightly fitted.
How do I determine if I have a leak?
Make sure all the water is off in your home (no washing machine or
dishwashers running). Go out to your water meter in the ground, remove
the lid and see if the dial is moving. If the dial moves at all, and
you are sure no water on your property is on, then there is a leak somewhere
in your plumbing between where it starts at the meter and your home.
If you have a crawl space, be sure to check there also.
I have found my leak, and it is repaired. Now what?
The City of Atlanta has a leak adjustment policy that may give you
a break on your bill, depending upon the nature of the leak. If the leak
is determined to be your responsibility, you should repair the leak and
submit documentation of the repair (including receipts for labor, supplies
and equipment) to Customer Service. Once your documentation has been
reviewed and approved, the adjustment will be processed immediately.
If the leak is determined to be the responsibility of the City, we will
process the adjustment without any further action required on your part.
The amount and time period to which the adjustment can be applied varies
depending on the nature of the leak. Read the following guidelines, and
call Customer Service at 404-658-6500 if you have any questions:
Leak Location |
Time Period for Adjustment |
Maximum Adjustment Allowed |
Meter |
Unlimited |
100% of excess bill for water 100%
of excess bill for sewer
|
Underground |
Two billing periods (2 months) per
year |
100% of excess bill for water 100%
of excess bill for sewer
|
Toilet Leak – only authorized
for the hearing impaired; proof of impairment is required |
Two billing periods (2 months) per
year |
100% of excess bill for water 100%
of excess bill for sewer DWM Commissioner or BDW Deputy Commissioner
approval required
|
Vandalism |
Two billing periods (2 months) per
year |
50% of excess bill for water
100%
of excess bill for sewer
|
Other source |
One billing period (1 month) per year |
50% of excess bill for water
100%
of excess bill for sewer
(50% of excess bill for sewer if water
drains through the sewer) |
You will still be responsible for paying your amount due while your
adjustment is pending. You will be reimbursed when your adjustment request
is granted.
Partial Payment Plans
Partial payment plans may be available for customers whose bills do
not meet the eligibility requirements for adjustments. You can learn about
Partial Payment Plans here
Still need help?
E-mail us here.
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