DeKalb County, Urban League unveil assistance program as water rates rise 10%

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Government and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta (ULGA) have launched the Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP) to help eligible low-income households manage their water and sewer bills. The program begins on the same day a 10 percent water and sewer rate increase take effect across the county.

The rate adjustment is part of a long-term plan that will include a 10 percent increase each January for the next 10 years to fund critical infrastructure upgrades to DeKalb’s aging water and sewer system. These investments will reduce water main breaks, prevent service disruptions, and ensure the delivery of safe, clean water for decades to come.

“We understand that any increase can be difficult for some households,” said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “That is why we have partnered with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to launch WRAP. This program will help keep water service affordable for our most vulnerable residents while we continue to make the necessary investments to protect public health and support our county’s growth.”

WRAP caps eligible households’ water and sewer bills at 4.5 percent of their annual income, which is below the affordability thresholds recommended by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United Nations. If a household’s current bill is already below that level, they will not be eligible for the program.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a DeKalb County water and sewer account holder
• Household income at or below 60 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2025 Adjusted Home Income Limits for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area (see table at DeKalbWaterAssist.org)
• Must provide verifiable documentation such as a tax return, W-2, or Form 1099

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will administer the program, process applications, and determine eligibility.

“Access to clean, affordable water is a basic human necessity,” said Nancy Flake Johnson, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. “Through WRAP, we are ensuring that no family has to choose between paying their water bill and meeting other essential needs. The Urban League is pleased to partner with DeKalb County to provide this vital support and to help residents stay connected to the water and sewer services they rely on every day.”

How to Apply for WRAP (Beginning Aug. 15):

• Website: DeKalbWaterAssist.org
• Phone: 404-371-6261
• Email: DeKalbWaterAssist@ulgatl.org

For more information on WRAP, the 10 percent rate increase, and other water service resources, visit DeKalbWaterAssist.org.