Quick answer: If the water suddenly stops or barely flows, first check whether it is a utility outage or a problem in your home. If the neighbors have water and you do not, call our 24/7 line to get a licensed plumber who finds the cause: a closed or failed valve, a failed pressure regulator, a frozen pipe or a leak.
Is it the utility or my house? A 60-second check
- Ask a neighbor or check the utility’s outage alerts. If the street is out, the utility will fix it.
- Check more than one faucet. If only one faucet is weak, the problem is that faucet (often a clogged aerator).
- Check the main shut-off valve. Make sure it is fully open.
- Look at the water meter with everything off. If it is moving fast, there may be a large leak.
- In freezing weather, check pipes in the crawl space or outside walls for ice.
| Where you live | Water utility emergency line |
|---|---|
| Augusta (Augusta Utilities) | 706-842-3060 after hours |
| Evans, Martinez and much of Columbia County (Columbia County Water Utility) | 706-860-2587 after hours |
| City of Grovetown, Harlem or Hephzibah city systems | The number on your water bill |
No water or low pressure: call now or can it wait?
First find out whether the problem is your home or the whole street. Then use this check.
- Call now
No water anywhere in the house
Ask a neighbor and check with the utility. If it is only your home, call now. - Call now
No water plus a wet yard or a hissing meter
A broken line is likely. Shut off the main valve and call. - Same day
Pressure dropped suddenly in the whole house
Often a failed pressure reducing valve or a leak. Book a same-day visit. - Can wait
Weak pressure at one faucet only
Usually a clogged aerator or valve. Clean the aerator, then book a regular visit.
Common causes of no water or low pressure in a home
| Cause | Typical signs |
|---|---|
| Failed pressure reducing valve (PRV) | Pressure drops (or spikes) everywhere in the house at once |
| Partly closed or failing main valve | Low pressure everywhere after recent plumbing work |
| Frozen pipe | No water at some or all fixtures during a freeze |
| Leak on the service line or under the slab | Low pressure plus a high bill or a wet spot in the yard |
| Old galvanized pipe | Pressure has dropped slowly over years; rusty water |
| Water heater problem | Only hot water is weak |
If the cause is a frozen pipe, see frozen pipe repair. A wet spot in the yard or a leak near the meter points to water main leak repair.
Is no water an emergency?
Yes, when the whole house has no water and the utility has no outage, or when low pressure comes with signs of a leak. You cannot flush, wash or cook, and a hidden leak can be causing damage. Weak pressure at one faucet is not an emergency.
What the plumber does
- Tests the water pressure at the house and confirms whether water is reaching the meter.
- Checks the main valve and the pressure reducing valve.
- Looks for frozen sections or leaks along the line.
- Explains the cause and the price before repairs.
- Repairs or replaces the valve, regulator or pipe and tests the pressure again.
What a pressure reducing valve does
Many homes have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) near the main shut-off. It lowers high street pressure to a safe level for your pipes and fixtures. When a PRV fails it can stick closed, leaving weak pressure everywhere, or fail open, sending high pressure that bangs pipes and makes faucets and toilets leak. Replacing a failed PRV is a common, same-visit repair.
How fast can a plumber restore water?
It depends on the cause. A valve or regulator is usually fixed in one visit. A frozen pipe can take longer to thaw safely, and a leaking service line may need digging. Ask for the expected arrival time when you call, and tell the plumber what you found in the 60-second check above.
What changes the cost?
- The cause: a valve or regulator is a smaller job than a pipe leak
- Where the problem is: inside, under the house or in the yard
- Parts, such as a pressure reducing valve
- The time of the call (see how after-hours pricing works)
You get the price before work starts.
Sources: Augusta Utilities Department contact page. Columbia County Water Utility Services page.