Tyrone Sewer and Drain Guide for Homeowners

Who provides sewer service here

Tyrone's Public Works Department is responsible for the town's sewerage system along with its streets, buildings and stormwater pipes, and its environmental specialist oversees grease trap pump-outs and related programs. The town extended its sanitary sewer system in a 2019 construction project (Town of Tyrone).

Billing runs through the county. The Fayette County Water System says it does not provide sewer service but issues sewer bills on behalf of the Town of Tyrone, among others (Fayette County Water System). A sewer charge on that bill means you are on the town system; customers apply for sewer service in person at Town Hall and pay a cash security deposit set by the mayor and council (Sec. 38-58).

Where your responsibility ends

Tyrone's code defines the building sewer as a privately owned and maintained pipe that carries wastewater from a single property to a public sewer. When the town installs a sewer tap, it is not responsible for building or maintaining the owner's service connection, or for the digging needed to install the tap fitting (Sec. 38-60).

Another section draws the construction line at the town property line. The owner bears the cost of connecting the building sewer from the building to that line, and the town makes the connection from the property line into the public sewer for a tap-on fee that combines an impact fee with the town's actual connection cost (Sec. 38-82). Owners of existing buildings who choose to connect must also obtain, at their own expense, any easements needed between the sewer and the building (Sec. 38-59). This is general information; Public Works or a licensed plumber can confirm how it applies to your property.

If sewage backs up

Tyrone's Public Works page tells residents to call 911 to report an emergency, and the town's police department relays the information to Public Works as needed. For non-emergency concerns, Public Works asks residents to call or leave a detailed message with their name and street address, or to email staff through the town's contact page (Public Works).

Because the building sewer is privately maintained under town code, a blockage between your house and the public sewer is a job for your own plumber. The sewer backup procedure covers what to do inside the house first.

Repairs, permits and inspections

The town's Building Department issues residential building permits as well as plumbing, electrical, mechanical and low-voltage permits, reviews plans and performs inspections. Its forms list includes residential plumbing, a grease management form and a wastewater discharge survey.

Sewer work has its own requirements. Uncovering, connecting to or altering a public sewer takes a written permit applied for on a town form, with a permit and inspection fee (Sec. 38-81). Under Sec. 38-85, the building sewer must be at least 4 inches across at a slope of at least one-eighth inch per foot, any part within 10 feet of a water service must be cast-iron pipe, trenches stay open until the work is inspected, and connections are made at a Y branch, which the town installs on smaller mains that lack one. Every building needs its own building sewer, with an exception for a rear building on an interior lot (Sec. 38-83). Contact Georgia 811 at least three business days before digging, as it asks of everyone (Georgia 811); the law requires a locate request before digging with machines (dig law).

Grease, wipes and rainwater

The code keeps runoff out of the town's pipes. No one may connect downspouts, exterior foundation drains or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer that drains to a public sanitary sewer (Sec. 38-85), and stormwater, roof runoff and subsurface drainage must go to storm sewers or an approved natural outlet rather than the sanitary sewer (Sec. 38-114).

Grease interceptors are required where grease or other harmful wastes call for them, but the code exempts private living quarters and dwelling units. At home, the burden is on habits: keep cooking grease, wipes and paper towels out of drains, as described in what not to flush or pour.

Septic homes in this area

Tyrone's code requires buildings constructed after its effective date to connect, at the owner's expense and before a certificate of occupancy, when a public sewer line is within 250 feet and can be reached by gravity. Where sewer cannot serve the property, the town issues no building permit or certificate of occupancy until the Fayette County Board of Health has issued a septic permit (Sec. 38-59).

Existing septic homes face a trigger: once a public sewer line comes within 250 feet and the septic system fails, no permit will be issued to repair it, and the owner must connect and remove or fill the old tank. Septic permits and records for Tyrone homes are held by the Fayette County environmental health office on Stonewall Avenue West in Fayetteville, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH). See septic tank pumping in Georgia for maintenance that can delay a failure.

Cities and communities served

The town system serves parts of Tyrone; homes beyond its lines use septic systems permitted by the county health department.

Next step

If your septic system is struggling, ask Tyrone Public Works whether a public sewer line lies within 250 feet of your home before you pay for a septic repair.