FAQs
I have a problem with sewage, water lines, or fire hydrants near my house. What do I do?
Brookhaven’s water and sewer services are maintained by DeKalb County Watershed. Homeowners are responsible for water and sewer systems within their property. You can contact them at 770-270-6243 to report the problem.
Does Brookhaven have its own Sanitation Department?
Sanitation service for the City of Brookhaven is provided by DeKalb County. As part of their new sanitation pilot program, many Brookhaven residents have received new collection bins. More information about DeKalb County's Sanitation Pilot Program, including route maps and pick-up schedules specific to Brookhaven, please visit their web site here. Please feel free to share your interests or concerns with DeKalb County at sanitationpilot@dekalbcountyga.gov. Or, you may call and leave a message on the Sanitation Pilot Hotline at (404) 294-2900.
What do I do if our trash pickup is missed?
Contact Pauline Andrea, Public Information Officer, at DeKalb County Sanitation by email paandrea@dekalbcountyga.gov or by phone 404-294-2092.
What does “traffic calming” mean?
From the Institute of Transportation Engineers: "Traffic Calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users." Goals included slower speeds, reduced collisions and reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic.
What are some examples of traffic calming devices and methods?
Traffic calming measure include, but not limited to, speed humps, bicycle lanes, center traffic islands, splitter islands, striping, and turn restrictions.
Are stop signs traffic calming devices?
No, by law stop signs are for traffic control, not to control speeds.
What is a catch basin?
Curbside opening that collects rainwater from streets and serves as an entry point to the storm drain system, a vast network of underground pipes and open channels designed for flood control, which discharges to surface waters often by first going through a natural or constructed stormwater management facility such as, but not limited to, ditches, swales, roads with drainage systems, detention ponds, retention ponds, infiltration devices, oil/water separators, sediment basins, modular pavement or other such devices.
Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
No. They are two separate drainage systems. Effluent in the sewer system receives extensive and thorough treatment prior to being discharged into surface waters. The storm drain system on the other hand, receives no treatment before entering our surface waters.
How can my neighborhood get traffic calming devices?
Fifty percent (50%) of households affected by a proposed traffic calming district must sign an initial petition to be presented to Brookhaven before the city can initiate a traffic study. Following a seventy percent (70%) property owner approval of the plan from Public Works, the City Council must then vote to approve the proposed measured presented by staff. Contact the Public Works Department at 404-637-0540 or streets@brookhavenga.gov for more information.
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is rainwater that enters the storm drain system and empties into surfaces waters such as streams, rivers and lakes.
How can I contact a utility company working in the right-of-way along my property?
Contact information should be included in notices given by the utility company. Below are contact numbers for major utilities in the area:
Google Fiber: 877-454-6959
Georgia Power: 888-891-0938
AT&T: 404-896-3880, Option 5
Atlanta Gas Light: 770-994-1946
Comcast: 800-266-2278
What is stormwater pollution?
Stormwater pollution is water from rain, irrigation, garden hoses or other activities that picks up pollutants (cigarette butts, trash, automotive fluids, used oil, paint, fertilizers and pesticides, lawn and garden clippings and pet waste) from streets, parking lots, driveways and yards and carries them through the storm drain system and to surface waters.
The color of the stream in my backyard has changed color / smells bad / is muddy. Who can help me with this?
These problems could be caused by dumping / a sanitary sewer line break / broken silt fence / or illegal construction activities. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
Who do I contact if utility work has created damage on my property?
The resident should contact the utility company regarding property restoration or compensation for damage.
Can the city provide compensation or force a utility company to compensate for damages to my property?
The city is not able to assist residents in compensation for damage done by utility work. That process needs to be handled between the homeowner/HOA and the utility company.
Who can I contact about my neighbor / a restaurant / a business who is discharging paint / used motor oil / cooking grease / waste water from carpet cleaning or a car wash into the catch basin?
It is illegal to discharge oil / grease / paint / and commercial car washing and carpet cleaning waste water into catch basins. Please note that natural spring water and water from fire fighter activities can run into catch basins. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
Can the city enforce utility company property restoration and repairs?
The challenge for the city is that though we have the ability to influence utility provides to follow up on utility restorations (particularly in well-established neighborhoods), State law limits the ability of municipalities to regulate the activities or limit the access of utility providers. The City cannot be more restrictive than the State DOT. See below (OCGA 32-4-92)
“(10) A municipality may grant permits and establish reasonable regulations for the installation, construction, maintenance, renewal, removal, and relocation of pipes, mains, conduits, cables, wires, poles, towers, traffic and other signals, and other equipment, facilities, or appliances of any utility in, on, along, over, or under any part of its municipal street system and of a county road system lying within its municipal limits. However, such regulations shall not be more restrictive with respect to utilities affected thereby than are equivalent regulations promulgated by the department with respect to utilities on the state highway system under authority of Code Section 32-6-174.”
What is the City of Brookhaven doing about illegal dumping?
It is illegal to knowingly dump or discharge hazardous materials into storm drain catch basins, and the City can impose stiff fines on the perpetrators if they are caught. Illegal dumping of trash, paint products, motor oil, and other chemicals into storm drains is against the law. The Public Works department sends community businesses and residents letters explaining the environmental impact that can result from illegal dumping into the storm drain system. We also are engaged in Community Outreach to encourage YOU to be a solution to stormwater pollution by reporting any illegal dumping (Report Illegal Dumping) to our Public Works Department or Code Enforcement officers.
There is a smell coming from the catch basin near my house. Who do I contact about this?
There is a possible illicit connection from a residence or a business into the storm sewer system. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.
What if I have landscaping or an irrigation system in the right-of-way?
Utility companies will generally work with residents regarding irrigation systems and ornamental landscaping in the right-of-way. The resident should contact the utility company with specific concerns in advance of any work being done. It is not recommended that residents install irrigation or extensive landscaping in the right-of-way.
Can the city prohibit utility work in the right-of-way?
No. The City does not regulate utilities. By state law, we cannot prohibit the access to the public right of way by utility companies or their contractors.
How do I dispose of household paint?
Residents can dispose of unused paint with their normal household garbage. The containers must be one gallon or less in size with the lids removed and the paint completely dry. Homeowners should allow the paint to air dry or can add a liquid absorbing substance such as kitty litter. All the paint must be completely dry. For the remaining portion, a paint stick can prove useful to determine if the can is dry all the way to the bottom. City of Brookhaven resident may use the Seminole Landfill. The same aforementioned procedure is acceptable. Commercial businesses should recycle all unused paint. DO NOT PLACE IT INTO DUMPSTERS! Residents or businesses who have lead based paint should contact the National Lead Information Clearinghouse at (800) 424-LEAD.
Are companies required to obtain permits from the city for utility work?
Yes. Utilities must receive right-of-way encroachments from the city before beginning work. If the work is performed on private streets or in gated communities, the utility company is responsible for receiving permission from the homeowner or HOA, and a permit from the city is not required.
Who is responsible for clearing the debris/blockage in the creek/drainage easement on my property?
Public Works is authorized and funded to maintain drainage infrastructure (pipes, culverts, catch basins, etc.) and about ten feet of the drainage ditch, drainage easement, or creek at the ends of pipes and culverts. Maintenance of the remainder of the creek or drainage easement is the responsibility of the property owner. Since many residents have a creek or drainage easement on their property, maintenance of those areas by City personnel would require huge increases in funding and manpower. Therefore, the property owner is responsible for maintenance of those areas just as they are responsible for mowing their yard within the road right-of-way.
A neighbor / business is connecting a pipe to the catch basin or storm sewer line without a construction permit. Who should I contact?
This is an illicit connection. Make a Service Request to have it investigated.