Forsyth County Sewer and Drain Guide for Homeowners

Who provides sewer service here

Forsyth County says some homes treat wastewater on site with septic systems, while most homes, schools and businesses send it through the county's sanitary sewer to one of five water reclamation facilities (About Wastewater).

County customers get a monthly statement for water and sewer use, and sewer charges are based on water meter readings (Billing Information). A sewer charge on your county bill is the simplest sign that you're connected; if your county bill has none, ask the department whether your home is on septic.

Where your responsibility ends

The county hasn't published a statement of where the owner's part of the lateral ends. Its construction notes for new development require each lateral to have a capped 6-inch cleanout, placed one foot behind the right-of-way or on the sanitary sewer easement line (Construction Notes). Ask the department where its responsibility ends at your address before paying for work near the street; the statewide responsibility guide explains the common arrangements.

Where a county sewer line crosses private land, the county holds an easement to inspect, maintain and repair it. Its easement guidelines say buildings, walls, fences, trees, shrubs, water features and pet enclosures in the easement are encroachments that may be removed, that the owner may have to move them at the owner's expense, and that the county won't replace them or pay for them (Utility Easement Guidelines). The construction notes likewise bar fences, structures and trees from sanitary sewer easements.

If sewage backs up

The department asks residents to report water and sewer emergencies, including sanitary sewer overflows, to its main line. Outside office hours and on holidays, an answering service takes the report and passes it on for dispatch (Report a Problem).

The county's grease flyer warns that residents may be held liable for all damage and cleanup costs when they cause a sewer backup (Fats, Oils and Grease flyer). For the first steps inside the house, follow the sewer backup guide.

Repairs, permits and inspections

In unincorporated Forsyth County, the Department of Building & Licensing issues permits. Its guide says plumbing work that adds or replaces fixtures with piping changes needs a permit, fixture repairs without piping changes don't, and a water heater replacement does, although an emergency replacement can be permitted and inspected afterward (Do I Need a Permit?).

If the property is on septic, Forsyth County Environmental Health must approve plans to build, remodel, or add a building or pool before a building permit can be issued (Forsyth County Environmental Health). Inside Cumming, the city issues its own permits; see the Cumming page.

Before digging, Georgia 811 asks everyone to request a locate ticket at least three business days ahead (Georgia 811), and the state dig law requires one before excavating with mechanized equipment. Under that law, the sewer owner helps locate laterals only up to the edge of the public right-of-way (Georgia Dig Law). For repair choices, see sewer line repair options.

Grease, wipes and rainwater

The county's grease flyer, produced with the regional Clean Water Campaign, calls fats, oils and grease the number one cause of sewer blockages in metro Atlanta. It asks residents to pour cooled grease into a sealable container for the trash, scrape and dry-wipe pans, and use a sink strainer, and notes that a garbage disposal only chops grease into smaller pieces (Fats, Oils and Grease flyer).

The county code bars stormwater, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, swimming pool drainage and condensate from the sewer unless the director authorizes it (Forsyth County Code § 82-57). The construction notes also prohibit roof drains, pool drains and air-conditioning condensate drains from the sanitary sewer (Construction Notes). See what not to flush or pour for wipes and other household items.

Septic homes in this area

Forsyth County Environmental Health's land use section issues septic system permits and does final inspections, and the office notes that an application or review may take 20 business days or more (Forsyth County Environmental Health).

The Department of Water & Sewer also runs a septic pump-out program. Owners of single-family homes on septic who are county water customers can get a credit on their water bill after a pump-out, once every five years per address, if the system is at least 36 months old, the pumper is approved by the state health department, and the application arrives within 90 days of the work. Renters aren't eligible, and credits depend on available funding (Septic Tank Pump-Out). For upkeep, see septic tank pumping in Georgia.

Cities and communities served

This page applies to unincorporated Forsyth County outside Cumming Utilities' service area. Cumming and the area around it are on the Cumming page, and the local directory lists every place within 40 miles of Atlanta.

Next step

If your lot has a county sewer easement, find the utility easement agreement that came with your title report and keep that strip clear of structures, fences and new trees before the county needs to reach the line.