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Sewer System Extension

Contact Us

For Information pertaining to the availability of sewer for a property, contact our office at 770-419-6328.

COBB COUNTY WATER SYSTEM
Engineering & Records Division
660 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, GA 30060

For Information pertaining to Sewer Extension Policy, contact:

Steven Nestor, P.E.
Project Engineer 
☎: 770-419-6321
Steven.Nestor@cobbcounty.org

While Cobb County has a very extensive infrastructure in place for wastewater collection and treatment, there are still some locations in the county where sewer service is not available. These areas may be undeveloped properties, but most often consist of existing residences or even entire subdivisions that rely on individual septic tanks for on-site wastewater management. Acknowledging that the extension of sewer lines to un-served areas must be addressed in a consistent and proactive manner, the Cobb County Water System’s Sewer Extension Policy was developed. The objectives of this policy are to:

  1. Establish conditions under which the Water System will provide for the construction of sewer extensions;
  2. Address funding issues related to the construction of sewer extensions; and,
  3. Define a mechanism for the provision of sewer service to existing developed areas which have inadequate wastewater handling facilities.

In some cases, sewer extensions may be planned construction based on needs or priorities identified in the Water System’s Sewer Master Plan and programmed into the adopted Capital Improvement Plan. At times, extensions may be associated with new development in areas where sewer service is currently unavailable. These situations usually result in new sewer lines being constructed at the cost of the developer, with possible limited participation of the Water System if circumstances warrant. The participation by the County in development-related projects requires the execution of a Planned Development Agreement to confirm the terms and cost-sharing arrangements.

Frequently, sewer extension construction projects are initiated based on the request of a group of homeowners that are experiencing failure of their septic tank systems. If minimum participation percentages are met on the petition, if sewer service is technically feasible, and if financial criteria are satisfied, then an extension project will be developed to meet the needs. The cost of construction of the new sewer system will be shared by the Water System and the residents that will be served. The resident’s share will be comprised of a Sewer Extension Fee, as well as the standard Sewer Development Fee. In addition, each resident will incur costs for a plumbing company to install the service line from the house to the sewer tap at the street.

Sewer System Extension FAQs

How long will it take to install the sewer line to serve my property?

Once a decision is made to proceed with a Sewer Extension project (following the qualifying petition process and the technical and financial feasibility analysis), it is necessary to perform field surveying, design the new sewer line, prepare the construction documents, bid and award the project to a contractor, and construction of the line. Depending on the particular situation, this process could take at least 1½ years. If the new line must cross private property (as is often the case) additional time will be required to acquire the necessary easements.

Is there a minimum size of a geographical area that must be served to qualify for a Sewer Extension?

If the total cost for construction exceeds $12,000 to $15,000 per house to be served, then it is unlikely that an extension would be considered financially feasible. There are situations that involve public health or threat to the environment where the financial criterion is a secondary issue to the need for an extension.

Do all fees have to be paid up-front or at the time service is available?

No. The Water System has a 10-year, zero interest payment plan for the one-time fees. These fee payments, along with the sewer user fee, would be included on your monthly water bill. This plan applies only to sewer extensions, not to simple connections to the sewer.

What can I do about problems with my septic tank and drain field?

The installation and operation of septic tanks fall under the jurisdiction of Cobb and Douglas Public Health.