Water Disconnection Moratorium Extended In DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — The five-year-long water disconnection moratorium in DeKalb County has been extended for two more months, county CEO Michael Thurmond announced Monday.

DeKalb County initially put the moratorium in place in 2016 to prevent residents from having to pay erroneous and outrageous water bills while waiting to dispute them. Some residents received bills exceeding $1,000 at times — one DeKalb woman got a bill for more than $19,000, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The county planned to end this moratorium July 1, but it will now expire Sept. 1.

“While the county has addressed the issues that led to the moratorium in 2016, the extension gives customers more time to pay their outstanding bills in full or make payment arrangements,” Thurmond said in a news release.

Disputes have been reduced from more than 4,000 per month to fewer than 200, county officials said. More than 82,000 meters have been replaced, and more than 134,000 meters — or 70 percent of all customers — have new transmitters for electronic usage reporting.

Payment installment plans up to seven years may be available, and considerations may be made for those financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More information can be found at DeKalb County's website here, or by calling 404-378-4475 anytime Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Related: DeKalb County To End Water Disconnection Moratorium After 5 Years