Sewer Line Repair in Douglasville, GA

Which part of the sewer line is mine in Douglasville?

WSA, which took over the city's and county's water and sewer systems in 1985, spells it out: it owns the meter and the lines in the road right-of-way, and the customer is responsible for the water and sewer lines on the property. In practical terms, the building sewer running from your foundation out toward the street is yours to maintain and repair. The City of Douglasville doesn't operate water or sewer at all; its own water page directs residents to WSA.

What usually goes wrong with sewer lines here?

Douglasville's housing is mostly from the 1990s and 2000s suburban growth along I-20, with a median build year around 2001. Still, about 21% of homes predate 1980, many of them near the historic downtown. In those older houses, cast iron and clay laterals crack, corrode and let roots in. In newer subdivisions with PVC, the common culprits are settling that creates a low spot, joints disturbed by later digging, and roots from trees that have grown up since the houses were built.

Warning signs are the same either way: a tub that fills when the toilet flushes, toilets that gurgle during laundry, drains slowing everywhere at once, or wet ground over the line.

Who do I call first, WSA or a plumber?

If neighbors are backing up too, or you see sewage coming from a manhole in the street, call WSA: 770-949-7617 during business hours or 770-942-6633 after hours. If it's only your house, start with a plumber, who can clear the line and camera it to see where the problem sits. Plumbing permits inside city limits come from the City of Douglasville Building Division through the BS&A Online portal.

A local note

A Douglasville mailing address doesn't always mean you're inside city limits. WSA serves the whole county, but permits outside the city come from Douglas County rather than the city, so confirm your jurisdiction before work starts. Douglas County's permit office is on Timber Ridge Drive in Douglasville. Whichever office applies, ask the plumber to carry the permit and inspection through to the end, since a sewer repair should be inspected before the trench is closed.