Short answer: For City of Smyrna water customers, the City repairs leaks up to your meter and inside the meter box on the street side. Everything from the meter to your house, and all plumbing inside, is the homeowner's responsibility. The sewer lateral from your house to the public main is also the property owner's. Call the City at (770) 431-2850 during business hours or (770) 434-6666 after hours. Some Smyrna-addressed homes are served by the Cobb County Water System instead; its Emergency Dispatch line is 770-419-6201.
Step one: which utility serves your home?
A Smyrna mailing address does not always mean City of Smyrna water. The city limits and the Smyrna ZIP codes do not line up exactly, and parts of unincorporated Cobb County near Vinings, Belmont Hills, King Springs and Mableton are served by the Cobb County Water System. The quickest way to know is your water bill: it will say City of Smyrna or Cobb County Water System. If you have just moved in, the closing documents or the previous owner can tell you, or you can call either utility with your address.
Utilities across south Cobb are tied together by the regional supply of the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, which is why a large main break, like the weather-related one near Macedonia Road in January 2024, led to a boil water advisory touching parts of Smyrna, Mableton, Austell, Powder Springs and Marietta at the same time.
Water: who owns which part
| Location | Responsible | Call |
|---|---|---|
| Water main under the street | Utility | City of Smyrna or Cobb County |
| Service line from main to meter | Utility | City of Smyrna or Cobb County |
| Inside the meter box, street side of the meter | Utility (City of Smyrna) | City of Smyrna |
| Meter itself | Utility | City of Smyrna or Cobb County |
| Service line from meter to house | Homeowner | Licensed plumber |
| Main shutoff, pressure reducing valve, all indoor pipes and fixtures | Homeowner | Licensed plumber |
| Irrigation lines and backflow preventers | Homeowner | Plumber or irrigation contractor |
The City of Smyrna's utility FAQ also gives a simple test: turn off all water inside and out, then look at the meter. A turning silver wheel, or a digital reading above 0.0 gallons per minute, means a leak on the customer side. See our leak detection guide for the full test.
Sewer: who owns which part
| Location | Responsible | Call |
|---|---|---|
| Public sewer main under the street or in an easement | Utility | City of Smyrna or Cobb County |
| Sewer lateral from the house to the main | Property owner | Licensed plumber |
| Cleanouts, interior drains and fixtures | Property owner | Licensed plumber |
If you have a backup and are not sure where the blockage is, the City of Smyrna says to call Water Distribution and a technician will check the street main. If the main is flowing, the problem is in your lateral. Cobb County notes that it sometimes has public sewer lines running through private property in easements, and it can check whether one of those lines is contributing to a problem. See sewer line repair.
Numbers to save in your phone
| Who | For | Number |
|---|---|---|
| City of Smyrna Public Works | Water and sewer, business hours | (770) 431-2850 |
| City of Smyrna | Water and sewer emergencies after hours | (770) 434-6666 |
| City of Smyrna Water and Sewer | Non-emergency requests | (678) 631-5456 |
| City of Smyrna Utility Billing | Billing, rates, leak adjustments | (678) 631-5338 |
| Cobb County Water System | Emergency Dispatch | 770-419-6201 |
| Atlanta Gas Light | Gas leaks and odors, 24 hours | 877-427-4321 |
| Georgia 811 | Utility locates before digging | 811 |
Numbers as published by each agency at the time of writing. Confirm on your bill or the agency's website.
A real person answers 24 hours a day and tells you what to do first, before anyone comes out.
Common situations and who handles them
Water bubbling up at the street or sidewalk
Most likely a utility main or service line leak. Call the utility. If it is a lot of water, use the after-hours emergency line.
Water pooling between the meter and the house
Most likely your service line. Do the meter test with the house valve closed to confirm, then call a plumber. See water line repair.
Water leaking inside the meter box
If it is on the street side of the meter, it is the City's in Smyrna. If it is on the house side fitting, it is usually yours. When in doubt, call the utility first; they can tell you which side.
No water at all
Check whether neighbors have water. If not, it is likely a main break or planned work; call the utility. If only your house is dry, check that your main valve is open and, in a freeze, whether a pipe has frozen. See our frozen pipe guide.
Sewage backing up into the house
Stop using water. Call the utility to check the main. If the main is clear, the blockage is in your lateral and you need a plumber. See drain cleaning.
Sewer smell in the yard
Often a cracked lateral or an open cleanout on your property. If it is near a manhole in the street, tell the utility.
High water bill
Do the meter test. If it shows a leak on your side, fix it and then ask the City of Smyrna about its leak adjustment form. If the meter shows no leak, ask the utility whether the reading was estimated or the meter can be checked.
Discolored water
If every faucet is discolored, cold and hot, it is often from work or a break in the system that stirred up sediment; run cold water for a few minutes and call the utility if it does not clear. If only hot water is discolored, look at your water heater. If only some faucets, it may be old pipe in the house.
Insurance and service line plans
Because the service line and sewer lateral belong to the homeowner, a break can be an unwelcome expense. Standard homeowners policies often exclude wear and tear on underground lines and may exclude sewer backup damage unless you added an endorsement. Some insurers and third-party companies sell service line coverage. Read the terms carefully, including caps, exclusions and whether you can choose your own plumber. This is general information, not insurance advice.
Renters, townhomes and condos
If you rent, report water and sewer problems to your landlord or property manager in writing and follow your lease. In townhome and condo communities, the association documents spell out which pipes are common elements. A shared sewer lateral or a common water line may be the association's responsibility even though it runs under your unit.
Plumbing services in Smyrna
- Emergency plumber in Smyrna: 24/7 burst pipes, no water, backups and leaks.
- Drain cleaning in Smyrna: Clogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main line backups.
- Leak detection & slab leaks in Smyrna: Hidden leaks in walls, slabs and yard lines.
- Pipe repair & repiping in Smyrna: Burst pipes, polybutylene and galvanized replacement.
- Water heater repair & installation in Smyrna: Tank and tankless repair and replacement.
- Sewer line repair in Smyrna: Camera inspection, roots, breaks and replacement.
- Water line repair in Smyrna: Main service line from the meter to the house.
- Toilet & faucet repair in Smyrna: Running toilets, drips, fixtures and disposals.
Helpful Smyrna plumbing guides
Neighborhoods we serve
Licensed plumbers for homes in Market Village & Williams Park, Forest Hills, Bennett Woods & Cooper Lake, Cheney Woods & Smyrna Heights, Belmont Hills & King Springs, Vinings, Cumberland & The Battery, Mableton & Riverview. See every Smyrna service area or contact us.
Sources
Written and reviewed by Alex, a Smyrna local with an MBA who researches and edits every page on this site, citing official and published sources. Updated October 25, 2026.
Plumbing work is performed by independent, licensed Georgia plumbers. General information, not legal or insurance advice.