Water & Sewer In Brookhaven: Who To Call, What To Know

Not sure who to call when water is bubbling up in the street or your bill looks off? If you live in Brookhaven, you tap into a county-run system, which can make the process feel confusing in a pinch. This guide lays out exactly who handles what, the numbers you should save, and the steps to take for service, billing, and emergencies. You will also find buyer and seller checklists so you can move with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Who runs water and sewer here

In Brookhaven, the City does not operate or bill the water and sewer system. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) maintains the mains, meters, hydrants, manholes, and treatment plants that serve homes in the city. For most service, billing, and emergencies, you contact DeKalb County first. You can confirm the county’s role on the city’s overview of DeKalb’s water and sewer infrastructure in Brookhaven.

Brookhaven Public Works does not repair county pipes, but the City asks you to log issues in Brookhaven Connect so they can track county work that affects city streets, sidewalks, and rights of way. You can submit service requests through Brookhaven Connect.

Quick contacts to save

• DeKalb DWM 24-hour emergencies, sewer spills, broken mains: 770-270-6243 (call first for active leaks or overflows). See the county’s Watershed Management page.
• DeKalb DWM Utility Customer Operations (billing, start/stop service): 404-378-4475; emails: [email protected] and [email protected]; walk-in/pay center: 774 Jordan Lane, Suite 200, Decatur, GA 30033. The county’s new online portal is myaccount.dekalbcountyga.gov. Learn more about the rollout on the new billing system update.
• Brookhaven Public Works (city tracking for ROW impacts): 404-637-0540 and Brookhaven Connect.

County vs. homeowner responsibility

DeKalb DWM maintains public system assets like water mains, sewer mains, public hydrants, manholes, and county-owned lines in the right of way. As a homeowner, you are responsible for private plumbing on your side of the meter and the private sewer lateral from your home to the public connection. The City reiterates this division in its infrastructure guidance.

Sewer backups and costs

If a blockage is in the public sewer main, DWM handles it. If the problem is in your private lateral or inside your home, you arrange and pay for repair. DeKalb has notified owners after inspections when private lines are defective, so expect this public and private split. Always get the DWM work order number and photos, which can help with insurance or contractor conversations. See the county’s notice on private sewer line breaches.

Emergencies: what to do now

Water main break or street leak

1. Call DeKalb DWM emergency at 770-270-6243 immediately.
2. If water is undermining the road, flooding sidewalks, or creating a safety risk, call Brookhaven Public Works at 404-637-0540 or 911 as needed.
3. Write down the DWM work order number, take photos, and submit the work order through Brookhaven Connect so the City can track restoration.

Sewage overflow or strong sewer odor

1. Call DeKalb DWM emergency at 770-270-6243 right away. DWM must investigate sanitary sewer overflows.
2. If the issue is inside your home, contact a licensed plumber. Ask DWM to confirm whether the public main is the cause and keep the work order number before seeking reimbursement or scheduling private repairs.

Low pressure, taste, or discoloration

Contact DeKalb customer service to request a meter or water-quality inquiry. DeKalb’s drinking water is treated at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, with source water from the Chattahoochee River. For water-quality data, refer to the Consumer Confidence Report linked from the county’s FAQ page.

Billing emergencies or a suspected error

Call Utility Customer Operations at 404-378-4475 or use the dispute process described in the county’s new billing system update. During the transition to the new portal, some customers received new account numbers. If you cannot access your account, request your updated number by calling or emailing [email protected].

Setting up or transferring service

Start or transfer service

Apply with DeKalb’s Utility Customer Operations. You complete an Application for Water/Sewer Service and pay a nonrefundable application fee. You can set up service by email at [email protected], in person at the Jordan Lane office, or through county forms listed on the FAQ page. Start early in your closing timeline to avoid gaps.

Low-flow compliance check

Some properties, especially older homes, may need a low-flow plumbing Certificate of Compliance before new service is issued. Requirements vary by construction year and location. Confirm whether a certificate or exemption applies to your address and how to submit it using the county’s guidance and forms referenced in this FAQ document.

Final reads and smooth closings

Sellers should request a final meter reading and provide buyers with the correct DWM account details. Buyers should register for the county’s portal once they receive their account number. For background and portal details, see the new billing system update.

Why you may see road work

DeKalb County is working under a Clean Water Act consent decree to reduce sanitary sewer overflows. This long-term program includes inspections, pipe lining, manhole repairs, and major capital projects. You may see temporary street cuts and later resurfacing as the county completes emergency point repairs and then permanent restoration. Read more on the county’s Consent Decree page.

Buyer and seller checklist

• Save key contacts: 770-270-6243 for DWM emergencies, 404-378-4475 for billing, 404-637-0540 for Brookhaven Public Works.
• Gather documents: government ID, closing or lease paperwork, completed service application, any required Certificate of Compliance, and management authorization if someone else will manage bills.
• Email early: send documents and your requested start date to [email protected] before closing.
• Record issues: if you report a leak or backup, always write down the DWM work order number and submit it via Brookhaven Connect.
• Final steps for sellers: request a final meter read and share account details with the buyer.
• First steps for buyers: confirm your account number and register on the county portal at myaccount.dekalbcountyga.gov.

Quick troubleshooting flow

• Is water pooling in the street or a sewer is overflowing outside? Call DWM emergency at 770-270-6243 first, then log it in Brookhaven Connect.
• Are fixtures backing up inside your home? Call DWM emergency to check the main. If the main is clear, call a licensed plumber for your private line.
• Is your bill unusually high or your account inaccessible? Call 404-378-4475 and ask for your current account number and billing review.
• Is your water discolored or pressure low? Contact DWM customer service and reference the county’s FAQ page for water-quality details.

Have questions as you plan a move in Brookhaven or want a local, step-by-step approach to your closing? Reach out to Cyndi Williams for practical guidance on utilities, timelines, and a smooth home sale or purchase.

FAQs

Who provides water and sewer in Brookhaven?

• DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management runs the system, including mains, meters, and treatment, while the City of Brookhaven tracks impacts through Brookhaven Connect. See the City’s infrastructure overview.

What number do I call for a broken main on my street?

• Call DeKalb DWM’s 24-hour emergency line at 770-270-6243. If there is a traffic hazard or safety issue, notify Brookhaven Public Works at 404-637-0540 or 911. See the county’s Watershed Management page.

How do I start water service when I buy a home?

• Apply with Utility Customer Operations by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Jordan Lane office. Have ID, closing papers, and any required Certificate of Compliance. Review the county’s FAQ page.

Who pays for a sewer backup after heavy rain in Brookhaven?

• DWM inspects the public main. If the main is the cause, DWM addresses it. If the issue is your private lateral or interior plumbing, you coordinate and pay for repairs. See DeKalb’s note on private line breaches.

Where can I find DeKalb’s water quality information?

• The county publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with water-quality results from the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant. Find links through the DWM FAQ page.