Scottdale: An old mill village
Scottdale grew up around a cotton mill north of Decatur, and its small mill-era homes sit beside newer infill.
ZIP codes:
- 30079
What affects water lines here
Older mill homes often have the original, shallow yard line, which is the most likely to split in a freeze or leak at its fittings.
Tight lots mean the line often runs under a walk or porch steps, where a small, targeted dig matters.
If you find a leak
- Check where the water is. In the street or before the meter, call DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management. Between the meter and the house, it is the owner's line.
- Run the meter test. Everything off, then the main valve at the house closed. A meter that keeps moving means the yard line is leaking.
- Limit the damage. Keep the house valve closed if the leak is large, and photograph the wet ground and the meter.
- Call for the repair. Ask whether the break will be pinpointed first and whether a permit is needed.
Services for Scottdale homes
Questions
Who is responsible for the water line at my Scottdale home?
If your bill comes from DeKalb County, the county owns the main and the meter and you own the pipe from the meter to the house. Check the bill if you are near a county or city boundary.
Which ZIP codes does this Scottdale page cover?
30079. Some of these ZIPs also reach into neighboring communities.
What should I do first if I see water in the yard?
Shut off the main valve at the house and watch the meter. If the meter stops, the leak is inside; if it keeps moving with the house closed, the yard line is leaking.
Sources: DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management service line ownership sheet, lead and copper FAQ and 2026 galvanized pipe notices; Atlanta News First, 15 January 2025; City of Decatur news release, 14 January 2025.
