Cobb County Water Leak Credit After a Burst Pipe: What to Save

A burst pipe causes two kinds of damage: the water in your home and the water on your bill. If you're a Cobb County Water System customer, the county's leak credit policy can take a partial bite out of that bill, as long as you meet the rules and keep the right paperwork. Here's how it works and what to save from the day the leak starts.

What is the Cobb County water leak credit?

It's a partial bill credit for eligible leaks on private plumbing, available once in a rolling 12-month period and covering no more than two affected billing months.

Cobb County Water System is clear that the credit is meant to partly offset the cost of certain plumbing failures, not to fully pay for a leak. Repairs on private plumbing and the costs of a leak are the homeowner's responsibility. Still, after a big leak, even a partial credit can make a real difference.

Quick Answers

How often

once in a rolling 12-month period

How much time it covers

no more than two affected billing months

What you need

address, account number, a short explanation and proof of repair

Proof of repair

a plumbing repair receipt, a parts receipt or at minimum a letter explaining the fix

Keep paying

you're responsible for the bill while the credit is processed

Wastewater

leaks where water didn't enter the sewer may qualify for a partial wastewater credit

What you need to apply

According to Cobb County Water System, a leak credit application should include:

• Your service address and account number.
• A brief explanation of the type of leak.
• Proof of the repair: a plumbing repair receipt, a receipt for parts, or at minimum a letter explaining what was done to fix the problem.
• For pool leak credits only: the volume of the pool.
• Start collecting these the day you find the leak. It's much easier than tracking them down weeks later.

Why wastewater matters on your bill

Cobb County bills wastewater based on metered water use. That means water from a leak shows up twice: once as water and once as sewer. When a leak sends water into the yard, a crawl space or onto the floor instead of down a drain, that water never entered the sewer. Cobb's policy recognizes this: residential customers may qualify for a partial wastewater credit for leaks that didn't enter the sewer system, along with a possible partial water credit, once in a rolling 12 months with documented repairs.

What doesn't qualify

Your side vs. the county's side

The leak credit is for leaks on your private plumbing, meaning your side of the meter. Leaks on the public system are the county's to repair. If you see water bubbling in the street or at the meter box and suspect the public line, call Cobb County Water System Emergency Dispatch at 770-419-6201.

A surprise high bill and no visible leak

A sudden jump in usage with nothing visibly wet often means a hidden leak: under the slab, inside a wall, in the yard service line or a running toilet. Try the meter test: turn off every fixture and watch the meter or its leak indicator. If it keeps moving, water is escaping somewhere. A plumber can locate it, and the repair receipt is what you'll need for the credit. See slab leak and hidden leak water damage

The leak credit is not insurance

The leak credit only reduces your water bill. It doesn't pay for the damage the water caused to your floors, walls and belongings. For that, you'll look to your homeowners insurance, which usually covers sudden and accidental leaks like burst pipes. You can pursue both.

A simple leak paperwork checklist

• Photos of the leak and the damage
• Plumber's invoice showing the repair
• Receipts for parts if you fixed it yourself
• Your water bills before and after the leak
• Water damage cleanup invoice and moisture logs (for insurance)
• Your insurance claim number

Dealing with the water damage itself

While you're sorting out the bill, the water inside your home still needs to come out. Wet drywall, insulation and flooring can grow mold within 24 to 48 hours. Fast extraction and drying keep the damage, and the repair bill, smaller. See burst pipe water damage cleanup in Acworth

FAQs

Water still in your home from that leak?

Get it dried before mold starts. Crews are dispatched immediately, 24/7, across Acworth 30101 and 30102. Call (470) 672-2095.