Repairing the buried pipe on your side of the DeKalb meter: the break is located, a small hole is opened at that spot, and the damaged piece is cut out and replaced.
The part of the line that is yours
DeKalb County's Department of Watershed Management describes the service line as a shared responsibility. The county owns the pipe from the main in the street through the meter, including the meter itself. The property owner owns the pipe from the meter to where it joins the plumbing inside the house, usually near the main shutoff valve.
In the City of Decatur, the meter usually sits in a small pit near the sidewalk or street. Everything on the house side of that pit is the owner's to repair.
Signs the line needs repair
- A soggy strip or puddle between the meter pit and the house
- The meter's leak indicator spinning with every fixture off
- Pressure dropping in every faucet at once
- A water bill that climbs with no change in use
- Red clay that stays muddy days after rain
- Water seeping into a basement or crawlspace wall on the street side
How the repair is done
- Confirm the leak. With everything off and the house valve closed, the meter should stop. If it keeps turning, the yard line is leaking.
- Mark utilities. Georgia 811 marks public lines before any digging. Your private line is not marked, so it is traced separately.
- Pinpoint the break. Listening equipment or tracer gas finds the spot so the hole stays small.
- Open and fix. The water is shut at the meter, the damaged piece is cut out and new pipe is joined in.
- Test and close. The line is pressure-tested, then the hole is backfilled and compacted.
When a spot repair is not enough
DeKalb's own notices say builders commonly installed galvanized pipe for water services, and that galvanized lines typically last 40 to 60 years before leaks and low pressure set in. Much of Decatur's housing is older than that. If your line is galvanized, or this is not its first leak, ask about replacing the run from the meter to the house instead. See main water line replacement.
What to ask before work starts
- Has the leak been located, and how sure are you of the spot?
- Do you need a permit for this job?
- What pipe and fittings will you use?
- Will you restore the lawn, walk or drive when you finish?
- What warranty comes with the work?
Georgia licenses plumbers through the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. Ask for the license number.
Questions
Does DeKalb County fix the line in my yard?
No. DeKalb's Department of Watershed Management maintains the main and the meter. The pipe from the meter to the house belongs to the property owner.
How long does a repair take?
A spot repair on an accessible line is often done the same day.
Will my water be off?
Yes, while the line is open. Service is stopped at the meter during the work and restored for the pressure test.
Related
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.
