Newnan Sewer and Drain Guide for Homeowners

Who provides sewer service here

Newnan Utilities (NU) treats and transports the city's wastewater, cleaning it at local treatment plants before returning it to the environment, and describes grease management and backflow prevention as part of keeping the system flowing. The utility is overseen by a board of commissioners and has a director of water and wastewater operations (All About NU). Newnan's charter runs the city's water, sewerage and electric systems through a water, sewerage and light commission and lets it extend service beyond the city limits (Charter Sec. 1.6); the city code has that commission prescribe the forms for tapping water or sewer mains (Sec. 21-91).

Service is started or transferred through forms on NU's website, with a photo ID and a lease or closing disclosure showing the service address (FAQ). If your NU bill includes sewer charges, these rules apply; homes outside the city may be served by the Coweta County Water and Sewerage Authority or use septic.

Where your responsibility ends

Newnan's code divides the work of a connection rather than drawing a maintenance line. Only an authorized employee of the commission, under the superintendent's supervision, may tap a water or sewer main (Sec. 21-92). After the owner applies, a permit goes to a plumber to make the connections inside the premises (Sec. 21-91).

For water service, the code is explicit that the pipe from the property line or meter into the premises belongs to the customer, with all plumbing and repairs at the customer's expense (Sec. 21-95). Neither NU's site nor the code states the sewer lateral split as plainly, so ask NU where its responsibility ends before you pay for digging near the street; the ownership guide explains what to ask. Consider this general information, not legal advice.

If sewage backs up

NU's FAQ directs customers to report outages and service issues by calling the utility's main number and choosing the outage option; it also points to an online outage map and to automated alerts for customers whose contact details are current. Use that line if sewage is coming from a manhole or your neighbors have the same problem.

NU also warns residents never to lift a manhole cover or put anything inside. Its sewer crews have found buckets, cinder blocks and construction debris dumped into manholes, causing immediate blockages (Preventing Blockages). If only your house is affected, call a licensed plumber, and see the sewer backup procedure for safety steps.

Repairs, permits and inspections

The City of Newnan's Building Department administers and enforces the building, housing, plumbing and electrical codes, issues permits for new construction and alterations, and inspects properties. Its permit forms include a combined mechanical, electrical and plumbing application.

On new construction, builders request water and sewer line inspections from NU through an online form that asks for the builder, development and lot number (NU). Connecting to the sewer is a privilege the commission or city council can revoke if the use creates a nuisance or burdens the system (Sec. 21-110). Georgia 811 wants a locate request from everyone at least three business days before digging (Georgia 811), and state law requires one before machine digging (dig law).

Grease, wipes and rainwater

NU's Preventing Blockages page names fats, oils, grease, wipes and other solids as the main causes of clogs. At home, it asks residents never to pour grease or oil down a drain or toilet, to scrape grease and food scraps into a container for the trash, not to count on a garbage disposal to keep grease out, to skip detergents that claim to dissolve grease because they only move the problem downstream, to use a sink strainer, and not to flush rags, wipes, diapers or other solids.

For businesses, the city code sets up a grease management program covering food service facilities other than private residences (Sec. 21-116). NU says grease blockages are the leading cause of sewer overflows, requires properly installed and maintained grease traps wherever food is prepared, and adds the pumping charges to the business's NU statement. For household habits, see what not to flush or pour.

Cities and communities served

Newnan Utilities serves Newnan, and the charter allows service beyond the city limits, so unincorporated neighbors such as East Newnan should check their bills; the county authority's page and the directory cover areas outside the city.

Next step

Find the sewer charge on your Newnan Utilities bill, then ask NU where its part of your sewer lateral ends before you need a repair.