Sanitary Sewer Extensions to Existing Neighborhoods
Fulton County
Department of Public Works
Updated February 2023
Sanitary Sewer Introduction
• For new developments:
• Builders install the sanitary sewer system to Fulton County standards
• Builders donates the sanitary sewer system over to Fulton County for our maintenance once accepted by Fulton County
• Cost for the installation of system is included in the cost of the home by the builder
• Fulton County does not pay for the neighborhood to be on sanitary sewer
Septic Tank Introduction
• For Existing Neighborhoods:
• Many neighborhoods constructed before 1980 are on septic systems
• Septic tanks can last 50 years if properly maintained
• Septic tanks should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years depending on use
• Today, septic tank properties are required to have both a primary drain field plus a reserve
• Septic Systems are regulated by the Fulton County Board of Health and not Public Works
Sanitary Sewer Extension
• Sanitary Sewer Extension Process for existing residential neighborhoods on septic tanks
• Process is governed by Fulton County Ordinance 82-188
• Process requires support from the neighborhood and a financial commitment (less than 4% of cost)
• Requires Board of Commission Approval
• Current Federal Infrastructure funding exists for sewer main extensions in public right of way.
• Not available for connection fees or sewer lateral installation from home to the sewer main
• Average construction cost is $1,000/linear foot
The Process
• Interested neighborhood contact Public Works to express initial interest.
• A neighborhood “champion” is identified from the neighborhood
• Champion is primary contact to Public Works through the process
• Public Works reviews the topography and availability of existing sanitary sewer near the neighborhood
• Public Works identifies the most likely path of sanitary sewer to serve the majority of homes in the neighborhood
The Process (continued)
• Neighborhood champion petitions their neighbors for support of the project. Support includes:
• The donation of a any sanitary sewer easements on the property being served by the extension
• Agrees to pay a $20/linear foot assessment on the property towards the new sewer. Paid at the start of the Project.
• Agrees to pay the sanitary sewer connection fee once project is completed (approximately $3,000). Paid at the end of the Project.
• 50% +1 of the property owners in the neighborhood must agree to the sanitary sewer and associated land donation, assessments, and connection fees.
• Petition is not brought to the Board of Commissioners until threshold is achieved
• All properties, regardless of support of sanitary sewer, are assessed
Example Neighborhood
Average Assessment/Fee is $6,000 per home
Other Neighborhoods in Process
-HembreeRoad
-BuiceRoad/RedBirdLane
-Butner Road/CliftondaleRoad
District 1 Sewer Network
District 1 Areas of Interest
District 1 Areas of Interest
