Meter Abandonment
The Office of Engineering Services Water Availability Group must be contacted at WPR.INSIDECOA@atlantaga.gov or WPR.OUTSIDECOA@atlantaga.gov (depending on the location of the property) or 404-546-3240 for commercial Meter Abandonment requests and associated costs. The cost of a Meter Abandonment varies (based on the size and location of the meter). Once the request is reviewed by OES, the customer will be referred to Meter Applications for an application, Invoice and Payment Instructions accordingly. Payment must be made within 14 days of the application process. Once the payment is made for the Meter Abandonment, the customer must allow fifteen (15) weeks for completion.

Hydrant Meter Rental
Customers who wish to rent a hydrant meter and backflow preventer must contact Hydrant Meters at hydrantmeters@atlantaga.gov or 770-549-5982. When applying for a hydrant meter, the customer must have a valid current identification; the company Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) if for personal use. The hydrant meter rental fee is $2,900.00. The customer will be e-mailed application documents, an Invoice and Payment Instructions accordingly. Payment must be payable to the City of Atlanta. The City of Atlanta accepts personal or business checks, money orders, debit cards, and all major credit cards. Once payment is made, an appointment will be made for the customer to retrieve the hydrant meter and backflow. Walk-in services are currently not available for retrieval of the equipment. Please note: If a payment is made via one of our Walk-In Payment locations, this does not eliminate the requirement for a scheduled appointment before releasing rental equipment.

The hydrant meter must only be used on fire hydrants within the City of Atlanta jurisdiction. If the customer is requesting to fill a water truck with the hydrant meter, the customer must have the truck inspected and permitted via the designated City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management Inspector prior to renting the hydrant meter. The backflow prevention device must always be attached to the hydrant meter during usage; and the City of Atlanta DWM Hydrant Meter Use Authorization Form must always remain with the meter (in the event of inspection).

During the hydrant meter rental, monthly reads must be submitted to hydrantmeters@atlantaga.gov. A hydrant meter can be rented for a maximum of 6 months at the end of which all components, the meter, the backflow, and the key must be returned to the Department of Watershed Management. The meter and the backflow must be returned as separate components (as when initially rented). If the customer intends to renew the rental, all components, the meter, backflow, and key must be returned to Hydrant Meters (in separate components) for inspection and renewal.

A backflow prevention device is configured to shut when there is reverse flow in the water line, keeping contaminants out of the water system. Water systems are designed to move water in one direction. However, a drop in pressure or a break in a water line can send water flowing in the opposite direction and draw contaminants such as fertilizers and other chemicals into the drinking water system. This reversal of flow is called backflow or back-siphoning. A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a non-desirable source of contamination or pollution.

Refund: The hydrant rental deposit is returned to the customer (less final usage) if the customer meets all criteria of the rental. The customer must complete a Refund Request form and allow 6 – 8 weeks for the refund process. If the customer has any questions or requests regarding the refund, i.e. account balance, transfers, etc., the customer must contact Meter Applications. For additional information, you may contact Meter Applications at 404-546-3390.

Backflow Prevention
Meters: A backflow prevention device, or assembly is essentially a pair of check valves placed on a customer service line. The device is configured to shut when there is reverse flow in the water line, keeping contaminants out of the water system. Water systems are designed to move water in one direction. However, a drop in pressure or a break in a water line can send water flowing in the opposite direction and draw contaminants such as fertilizers and other chemicals into the drinking water system. This reversal of flow is called backflow or back-siphoning. A cross-connection is any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a non-desirable source of contamination or pollution. For additional information regarding backflows, you may contact the Backflow Division Office at 404-546-3201.

Fire Service, Commercial, Domestic and Irrigation Meters: The City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances Section 154-66 requires an approved backflow assembly for all residential meters, fire service meters, commercial (including multi-unit dwellings) meters and irrigation meters. Contact the Backflow Division Office at 404-546-3201 to determine the correct installation of backflow assembly required for the purpose of your meter service. It is the responsibility of the Owner/Contractor to ensure that the backflow assembly is installed and tested in compliance with the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances. Please refer to the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management website, (www.atlantawatershed.org): Customer Service/ Backflow Compliance) for a list of approved backflow testers. A final inspection by the City of Atlanta Backflow Division is required and installation must be approved prior to commencement of water service. It is the responsibility of the Owner/Contractor to schedule the final inspection with the Backflow Division. Please allow 10 days for the Backflow Specialist to determine compliance with the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances.