From the Field

Septic or City Sewer? How to Tell Which You Have

By Ryan Chastain, Licensed Master Plumber Updated November 7, 2026

Lots of North Georgia homeowners do not know what is under the yard. Here are the easy checks, from the quickest to the most certain.

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Short answer: the quickest check is your water or utility bill. A sewer charge means city sewer, and no sewer charge usually means septic.

Fast check: look for a sewer line item on your utility bill, and for a buried tank lid or pipe in the yard.
Surest check: ask your county environmental health office for the septic record on your address.
Who it applies to: new buyers, people who inherited a home, and anyone with a rental or cabin they did not build.
Call or text Ryan: for a backup, a smell, or if you want help finding your cleanout.

Why it matters to know

Septic and sewer homes are cared for in completely different ways. On city sewer, your pipes run to a public main, and the city or utility handles what is past the connection. On septic, everything stays on your property, and you own the tank, the field and the repairs. What you flush, how much water you use and when you call all depend on knowing which you have.

Check 1: your utility bill

Look at your water or utility bill. If it has a separate sewer charge, you are very likely on city or county sewer. If the bill shows water only, or you get no utility bill because you are on a private well, you are very likely on septic.

One caution. Some bills lump sewer in with water, so call the utility and ask them straight out: is this address connected to your sewer system? They can tell you in one call.

Check 2: look around the yard and house

Walk the property. These are clues, not proof:

A round or square lid in the lawn. A concrete or green plastic lid in the grass often marks a septic tank access.
Where the main drain leaves the house. Look in the basement or crawl space where the biggest drain pipe goes out through the wall, then follow that direction outside. On septic it heads to the tank in the yard. On sewer it heads toward the street.
A capped pipe near the house. That is likely a cleanout, which exists on both septic and sewer homes. Our guide on what a sewer cleanout is explains it.
A sewer manhole or a utility line in the street. Public sewer mains usually run under the road.
Greener, lusher grass over one stretch of lawn. It can point to a drain field, though many things cause it.

Check 3: paper records

Your closing papers, the home inspection report and the property survey often say "septic" or "public sewer." If you bought the home recently, check the disclosure from the seller too. Listing descriptions and old inspection reports are another place to look, but they can be wrong, so treat them as a clue.

Still not sure what you have?

Text Ryan a photo of the main drain pipe, a lid in the yard, or a capped pipe by the house. He is a licensed Master Plumber, and he answers his own phone.

Call (706) 669-5727 Text Ryan

Check 4: ask the county health department

In Georgia, the county environmental health office keeps records of approved septic systems, and local health departments typically hold the installation records for their county. Georgia's public health districts say you can request a copy of a septic record by contacting your local Environmental Health Office with the property address. Some offices charge a fee for an existing system evaluation, so ask what applies to your county.

This is the surest paper check, because a record on file shows there is a permitted system, and often where the tank and field are supposed to be.

Check 5: ask your utility

If you suspect city sewer, call the city or county water and sewer department and give your address. They will tell you whether the property is connected, and which line is the property owner's responsibility.

If you have septic, what to do next

Learn the layout. Mark where the tank and field are. Keep cars, buildings and trees off the field, and keep a record of every inspection. Our post on how a septic system works is a good place to start, and what not to flush covers the rules that protect it.

Buying a home? A septic inspection and a plumbing check before closing can save a lot of grief. See our plumbing check when buying a mountain home guide.

If you have sewer

If you are on city sewer, a backup is usually in your own pipe from the house to the street connection, and that is the part you are responsible for. Ryan clears main line blockages mechanically. Find the cleanout first if you can, and read about the signs of a clogged main sewer line.

“Ryan was knowledgeable, courteous, and took the time to explain the issue and the best solution. What impressed me the most was their honesty and fair pricing, no hidden fees or unnecessary upsells. It's clear that The Village Plumber truly cares about their customers.”
Cassie E., May 2025, Google review

Common Questions

Can I have both septic and a well?

Yes. Many North Georgia homes have a private well for water and a septic system for waste. The two are separate, with their own care and their own repairs.

How do I find my septic tank if I do not know where it is?

Start with the county record, which may show a drawing. Then follow the main drain from the house out into the yard and look for a lid in the lawn. Do not dig or probe near a tank without care, since lids and tank tops can fail.

Does a sewer charge on my bill always mean sewer?

Almost always, but call the utility to confirm. Some bills combine charges, and the only sure answer is the utility telling you your address is connected.

What if my records say one thing and the yard says another?

Trust the county record and the utility over a listing or an old inspection. If they still disagree, text Ryan a few photos, and he can help you work out what is there.

Who do I call about a sewage smell?

Call or text Ryan. Septic or sewer, a sewage smell inside the house needs a look. See our sewage smell page for causes.