Stop the water
Most houses have a main shut-off where the supply line enters the basement or crawl space, or in a garage or utility room in newer slab homes. Turn it off. If it will not close, the meter box near the street has a valve on the utility side; the City operates its meters, so for a City account use the after-hours emergency line listed on the City's utilities page if you cannot stop the water from the house side. On a private well, switch off the pump breaker.
Make it safe
Turn off power to an electric water heater, or set a gas heater to pilot, once the water is off. Keep away from water near outlets or panels; shut off power at the main if you can do it from a dry spot. Open a low faucet to drain the lines. Move valuables, put down towels, and photograph the damage before cleanup.
Know the adopted rates and the permit rules, then let an independent local plumber price the work.
Call (706) 807-8059Sewage is different
If sewage is backing up, stop all water use in the house. If neighbors are affected or a manhole is overflowing, report it to the City. The sewer backup article covers the rest; if you are on septic, call Dawson County Environmental Health for surface sewage.
Whose problem is it?
The City is responsible for its mains and meters. Everything on the house side of the meter, including the service line in the yard, is the owner's. If water is gushing at the meter box itself, that is the City's to fix; call the City. If it is inside the house or in the yard line, call a plumber. Outside the city, the same split applies with Etowah Water and Sewer Authority for Etowah customers.
Permits after an emergency repair
Emergency repairs still need permits when the work is permitted work, such as replacing a water heater or a section of concealed pipe. Inside the city, Planning and Zoning issues permits; outside, Dawson County. Ask the plumber how they handle filing after an after-hours job, and get the permit number. The County's fee schedule charges double for construction before permit issuance, so do not let it slide.
| Fee type | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MEP (trade) permit, residential | $50.00 plus $10.00 for each additional 1,000 sq ft over 1,000 sq ft | Dawson County fee schedule eff. 8/1/26 |
| Administrative fee (in addition to a residential building permit) | $50.00 | Dawson County fee schedule eff. 8/1/26 |
| Residential additions, alterations or repairs | $0.33 per sq ft ($50.00 minimum) | Dawson County fee schedule eff. 8/1/26 |
| 1st re-inspection | $100.00 | Dawson County fee schedule eff. 8/1/26 |
| Additional re-inspections | $50.00 | Dawson County fee schedule eff. 8/1/26 |
| Construction before permit issuance | Double permit fees | Dawson County fee schedule eff. 8/1/26 |
Calling for help
Describe what failed, where the water is, whether it is stopped, and whether you are on City sewer, Etowah or septic. Ask whether the price includes the permit and inspection. Check the plumber's Georgia license with the Secretary of State when you can. The Free Quote Request form on this page lets independent plumbers who work in Dawson County follow up; it is free to send.
Prepare before anything goes wrong
Five minutes now saves a lot later. Find the main shut-off and make sure it turns. Label it. Find the water heater's cold supply valve and its breaker or gas valve. If you are on a well, label the pump breaker. Know whether you are on City sewer, Etowah sewer or septic. Put the City's after-hours number, or Etowah's, where everyone in the house can find it. Show family members, house sitters and tenants where the shut-off is.
For a second home or rental, leave written instructions at the main shut-off and consider a leak sensor near the water heater and under sinks. Some sensors can shut off the water automatically; any valve installed on the supply line is plumbing work.
Water heater failures
A water heater that bursts or leaks heavily is one of the most common emergencies. Shut off the cold supply above the tank and the power or gas. If water is spreading, drain the tank through its drain valve with a hose to a floor drain or outside, opening a hot faucet to let air in. Then call a plumber. In unincorporated Dawson County, water heater replacement needs a plumbing permit; inside the city, ask Planning and Zoning. See the water heater article.
Insurance
Call your insurer early and follow its instructions about mitigation. Keep receipts for emergency services and supplies. Photographs before cleanup, the plumber's description of the cause and the repair, and the permit and inspection record make claims smoother.
What to tell the plumber on the phone
Give the address and whether it is inside the city. Say what failed, when, and whether the water is now off. Say whether you are on City sewer, Etowah or septic, and whether the home is on a well. Describe any damage: water through a ceiling, standing water, sewage. Mention access issues such as a locked crawl space or a dog. If it is a water heater, give the fuel type and, if you can, the size from the label. Those details let the plumber decide how fast to come and what to bring, and they make the first visit more productive.
After the water is off
Write down when it started and what you did. Keep photos, the plumber's invoice naming the failed part and the repair, the permit number and the inspection result. If a leak ran a long time, read the meter and compare with your normal usage; the leak cost article shows what it adds to the bill, and the high bill article covers asking about an adjustment.
Sources for this article: City of Dawsonville: Utilities; Dawson County, GA: Building Permits; Dawson County, GA: Community Development Fee Schedule, effective August 1, 2026 (PDF); City of Dawsonville: Planning and Zoning; Georgia 811; Georgia Secretary of State: Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers FAQ. Checked 2026-10-29.
Describe the problem once. Independent plumbers who work in Dawson County can follow up.
Call (706) 807-8059In brief
Who do I call for a water main break in Dawsonville?
The City of Dawsonville lists an after-hours emergency line for its water and sewer system on its utilities page.
Is a leak in my yard the City's problem?
Usually not. The service line from the meter to the house is the owner's.
Does an emergency repair need a permit?
If it is permitted work, yes; ask the plumber to file it promptly.