My Cobb County water bill seems really high.
What should I do?
Unexpected leaks can occur in plumbing systems and cause high bills. Cobb County Water System encourages the prompt and complete repair of leaks. The Water System has a Leak Credit Policy that provides a partial credit for eligible leaks once in a rolling 12-month period. The credit can be applied to no more than two affected months. The purpose of the policy is to assist customers with a partial offset of the costs associated with certain plumbing failures, not to fully compensate a customer for the costs of a leak. Customers are responsible for paying the water bill while waiting for a leak credit to be processed.
Leak Credit Application
Leak Credit Application - Click here to apply online or mail the following documentation:- Address and Account Number
- A brief explanation of the type of leak
- A plumbing repair receipt, or a receipt for parts, if you made the repair yourself
- For Pool Leak Credits Only: Volume of the pool
- Cobb County Water System Customer Service - Leak Credit
660 South Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060
Leak Credit Eligibility
In some instances, Cobb County provides a nominal credit for charges associated with a leak on a private plumbing system. Credits are provided in response to the related policy adopted by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the policy is to assist customers with a partial offset of the costs associated with certain plumbing failures, not to fully compensate a customer for the costs of a leak. The maintenance and repair of private plumbing systems as well as any costs associated with its failure are the responsibility of the customer.
Leak in a home or business service line: In the event of a leak that results in loss of water that does not enter the sewer system, residential customers may qualify for a partial credit for wastewater once in a rolling 12-month period if repair of the leak is documented. A customer may also qualify for a partial water credit.
Leak in a pool: You may receive one pool credit per year if the pool must be drained and refilled because of a repair. The pool credit will be on wastewater charges only.
New pool fill or filling a pool for the season: Consistent with regional water conservation guidelines, Cobb County does not give a credit for pool filling unless it has been drained to facilitate a repair. Cobb County recovers the costs of the extensive wastewater system by billing wastewater equal to metered water use. Pool filling is a discretionary use of water and the water used to fill a pool is not readily available to us for future use.
Credit for irrigation use: Consistent with regional water conservation guidelines, Cobb County does not give a sewer credit for outdoor water use. Cobb County recovers the costs of the extensive wastewater system by billing wastewater equal to metered water use. Outdoor irrigation is a discretionary use of water and the water used to irrigate outside is not readily available to us for future use.
Before you dispute your water bill:
Before you call the county office, check for water leaks in your home. Below is a list on how to check your water meter. If you find leaks, have them repaired BEFORE you contact the county office. Water bill disputes can only be filed once a year in most counties in Georgia.Use your water meter to check for leaks
Leaks account for more than 10,000 gallons of water waste in an average home every year. High water bills are often caused by a leak inside or outside your home. These leaks are your responsibility to repair. Want to know if you have a leak? Follow these simple steps.
1. Turn off all the water-using appliances in your home, including the washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker, and tell everyone at home not to use the sinks, showers, or toilets for the next two hours. Do not shut off the water supply to these appliances; just make sure they aren’t actively running or being used. Only shut off the individual water supply if these appliances continuously run—some ice makers operate this way.
2. Locate your water meter. It should be out in your front yard under a metal cover. Remove the cover to view the meter.
3. Write down the number you see on the meter readout, or take a picture of the meter. Also observe the small leak detection wheel and the needle on the face of the meter. Nothing on the meter should be moving when you are not using any water inside or outside your home.
4. After two hours of no water use, go outside and read the meter again. The number should not have changed. If the readout did change, or if you notice any movement on the meter during the test, you probably have a leak.
If you discover you have a leak, check your water fixtures and appliances to determine which one is leaking. Look for dripping faucets and showerheads, check the pipes under your sink, in your basement, or around your water heater. Don’t forget to walk around your yard to look for soggy areas that can indicate a leak in your underground pipes.
ALH|Podland Residents, if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to call the office. Our office hours are 9am to 4pm, Monday through Friday You can always email us at info@alhpodland.com for a faster response.
