DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson says there is no mass disconnection of water service happening across DeKalb. However, she said, there are over 600 customers who have not paid their water bills, some dating back to 2010. Those delinquent accounts now total over $104 million, the CEO said.
Cochran-Johnson said during a press conference on May 14, 2025 that it’s time for those customers to pay up.
“As of May 14, 2025, over $104 million in unpaid water bills are owed to the County. This level of delinquency affects our ability to maintain reliable service, invest in infrastructure, and serve every household effectively.
We understand that some residents may be experiencing financial hardship. That’s why support is available—but we also want to be clear: We all share a responsibility to pay for the essential services that keep DeKalb running.
“I want to be on the record—there are no mass disconnections of water taking place in DeKalb County,” said Cochran-Johnson. “We have not disconnected any resident who has disputed a bill and continued to pay the undisputed portion of their account.”
The County has begun water disconnections for a small number of accounts with significantly high balances and no response to repeated outreach. Each decision is made carefully, on a case-by-case basis, and based on the account’s full payment history.
“This is not about punishment—it’s about progress,” she said. “We are not cutting off water without notice. Every customer receives multiple communications through mail, email, door hangers, phone calls, and certified letters. And for those in need—we have solutions.”
Cochran-Johnson also offered context on how far the County has come. In 2017, she was not yet in office, but like many residents, she witnessed a public outcry over billing errors, unread meters, and unresolved disputes. Since then, DeKalb County has replaced more than 104,000 outdated meters, implemented smart meter technology, resolved thousands of disputes, and issued billing adjustments when overbilling was confirmed.
She acknowledged that while progress has been made, challenges remain:
- Over 600 customer accounts have balances over $5,000
- As of May, more than $104 million is owed in unpaid water bills
- Some unpaid accounts date back to 2010, with no payment on record
“This is not sustainable,” said Cochran-Johnson. “Beginning June 1, we will begin aggressive measures to resolve all outstanding water accounts. But again, this is not about disconnection—it’s about resolution.”
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