Alpharetta homes are on Fulton County water, and the county handles the service line from the main to the meter. The stretch from the meter to the house is the owner's responsibility, so that's where you bring in a plumber. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Alpharetta.
Fulton County Public Works provides Alpharetta's water and sewer and does the billing; the city has no water department. Most homes here date from the 1980s through the 2000s, with a median build year of 1996 and fewer than 8% before 1980, so the pipe in your yard is probably plastic or copper laid in a subdivision build-out. When it leaks, it's usually a joint, a disturbed section or a spot near the foundation. Fulton County publishes a service line inventory, and residents can look up or report their line's material at fcpwleadcopper.com.
What to do right now
- Close the main valve at the house if water is surfacing fast or the house has lost pressure.
- Look at the meter box. Water inside it or around the meter is Fulton County's to handle; the north Fulton emergency number is 770-640-3040.
- Run a meter check. With every tap and appliance off, watch the leak indicator for several minutes.
- Mark the wet area with a flag or stake, and take a photo so you can show how it's spreading.
- Keep people and vehicles off soft ground over the suspected route, since a washout can leave a hollow underneath.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Soggy lawn strip in dry weather | Leak on the buried line under that strip |
| All fixtures weak at the same time | Water escaping before it reaches the house, or a failing pressure regulator |
| Meter dial moving with everything off | A leak somewhere on the owner's side of the meter |
| Damp floor or wall where the pipe enters | Failed fitting at the house connection |
| Bill spike with no change in habits | Hidden underground leak or a running toilet |
Cost factors
- How far the house sits from the meter. Longer runs need more pipe and more digging.
- Hardscape and landscaping. Paved drives, irrigation zones and planted beds add time to restore.
- Repair or replace. One fitting is a short job; a new line is a bigger one.
- Whether a backflow device is involved. Fulton County requires annual certified testing of testable devices, and a new line shouldn't bypass one.
- Permits. Trade permits go through Alpharetta's online permit portal.
Water Line Repair questions in Alpharetta
How can I use the water meter to check for a hidden leak?
Who handles a leak inside the meter box?
How do I find out what my service line is made of?
How long does a typical water line repair take?
More plumbing services in Alpharetta
Water Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: