Sandy Springs, GA Sewer and Drain Service: Local Rules
Georgia Sewer cleans, inspects and repairs drains, sewer lines and water lines for homes in Sandy Springs. Below: who to call first when sewage backs up, where your part of the line ends under the local provider's rules, and what we do about it.
Georgia Sewer — Drain & Sewer Specialists · Operated by Alpha Plumbing and Sewer, LLC
Sandy Springs, GA at a glance
- County
- Fulton County
- Public sewer
- Fulton County Department of Public Works
- Water
- City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
- Plumbing permits
- City of Sandy Springs Community Development, Building Division
Utility rules and numbers checked October 24, 2026
Whose pipe is it in Sandy Springs?
The public sewer in Sandy Springs is run by Fulton County Department of Public Works. The provider answers for its main and its part of the line; the line on your side is the property owner's, and that is the part we work on. More on how the line is split: who is responsible for your sewer line.
Fulton County Department of Public Works
Public sewer in Sandy Springs
If sewage is backing up or overflowing
- Sewer emergencies, North Fulton (customer service and after hours)(404) 612-3061
- Sewer emergencies, South Fulton(404) 612-3163
Where your part of the line ends
The lateral up to its connection with the public sewer is the property owner's and isn't part of the county system. Repairs to the part in the public right-of-way or a county easement are done by the county or an approved contractor, at the owner's cost.
Source: Fulton County Code § 82-195, read October 24, 2026“The building sewers or sewer service laterals up to the connection to the public sewer are the responsibility of the property owner and are not part of the sewerage system operated and maintained by the county.”
On your side of that line? That part is the work we do. Call (404) 482-2527 or send a request.
Our services in Sandy Springs
Each job starts with a diagnosis; the service follows what we find.
Local rules in Sandy Springs
What the city and its utilities publish about the jobs we do here, each with its source (checked in October 2026). The provider's full rules are on Fulton County.
When sewage backs up
- Sandy Springs says Fulton County maintains the city's sewer system and tells residents with sewer line problems such as blockages to contact Fulton County Sewer Services (sandyspringsga.gov).
- Fulton County Public Works assists with a blockage in the right-of-way or a sewer easement only when it seriously threatens public health, the owner's own plumber is present, and the owner signs a release (Fulton County).
Your sewer line and the public main
- Fulton County's lateral flyer makes the owner responsible for a clogged, leaking or broken sewer lateral between the house and the property line, even when the blockage is under a public road or in a sewer easement (Fulton County).
- Fulton County's code says repairs to a sewer lateral within the public right-of-way or a county easement are done by the county or an approved contractor, with the owner bearing the cost (§ 82-195) (Municode).
Cleanouts (1)
- Fulton County's requirements for new lateral connections, including septic-to-sewer conversions, call for cleanouts at the edge of the right-of-way or county easement on the owner's side, spaced no more than 70 feet apart (Fulton County).
Roots and pipe defects (2)
- Fulton County says wipes, paper towels and hygiene products often cause sewer clogs and backups, and urges residents to flush only pee, poop and toilet paper (Fulton County).
- Sandy Springs advises against planting trees or anything other than turf grass over a septic drainfield (sandyspringsga.gov).
Grease and what goes down the drain (2)
- Sandy Springs advises septic system owners to put food waste in the trash instead of using the garbage disposal and to avoid pouring fats, oils and grease down drains (sandyspringsga.gov).
- Fulton County suggests recycling used cooking oil and lists Keep North Fulton Beautiful, on Morgan Falls Road in Sandy Springs, among the recycling centers to use (Fulton County).
Permits (2)
- Sandy Springs requires a plumbing permit for all residential and commercial plumbing projects, though not for simple repairs such as unclogging a sink, and plumbing included in a larger building permit needs no separate one (sandyspringsga.gov).
- In Sandy Springs, residential plumbing permits may be pulled by licensed contractors or by owners for their current permanent residence; they are usually issued over the counter and require rough and final inspections (sandyspringsga.gov).
Digging in the street or right-of-way (3)
- Sandy Springs requires a utility permit for construction in the public right-of-way, including installing water or sewer lines, but generally not for residential builders connecting to an existing water meter or sewer connection (sandyspringsga.gov).
- As of October 2026, Sandy Springs charges a $425 flat utility permit fee for water or sewer installation, and the application must explain how every disturbed right-of-way area will be restored to equal or better condition (sandyspringsga.gov).
- Sandy Springs requires 30 days' notice for a lane closure, plus five business days after approval for resident outreach (sandyspringsga.gov).
Your water line (2)
- Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management supplies water in Sandy Springs and also bills for water and sewer; the city tells residents to contact the department directly about drinking water problems or water main breaks (sandyspringsga.gov).
- Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management is responsible for the service line from the water main to the meter, and the property owner for the portion from the meter to the building (Atlanta Watershed Management).
Septic systems (2)
- Sandy Springs tells residents unsure whether their property has a septic system to ask the Fulton County Health Department, and refers questions about connecting a home to sanitary sewer to Fulton County's water services division (sandyspringsga.gov).
- Sandy Springs' septic guidance calls for an inspection by a licensed contractor at least once every three years, with pumping when the inspector finds the sludge has reached the recommended level (sandyspringsga.gov).
Other local rules (1)
- Fulton County's code bans discharging stormwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage or swimming pool drainage into the sanitary sewer unless the director authorizes it (§ 82-237) (Municode).
Lead service line records in Sandy Springs
Water utilities must keep a public record of what each service line is made of. What the categories and the utility's letter mean: lead service line check.
City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
Water utility
Lead service line inventory: Georgia EPD dashboard
Atlanta says it hasn't found any lead service lines so far, and sends customers to Georgia EPD's dashboard for its inventory.
Look up your line The utility’s inventory page
Source: Atlanta Watershed Management, read October 24, 2026Who owns the water line
Atlanta is responsible for the line from the main to the meter; the owner for the line from the meter to the house.
Source: Atlanta Watershed Management, read October 24, 2026Nearby service areas
Drain or sewer trouble in Sandy Springs?
Tell us what the drains are doing, where and since when.
Call (404) 482-2527Or send a service request online
Operated by Alpha Plumbing and Sewer, LLC
Sewage coming out of a manhole or at the street?
Who to call first
Fulton County Department of Public Works(404) 612-3061Sewer emergencies, North Fulton (customer service and after hours)
Drain or sewer trouble in Sandy Springs?
Call and describe what is happening, where, and since when — the visit starts from there.
Georgia Sewer — Drain & Sewer Specialists · Operated by Alpha Plumbing and Sewer, LLC