In August 2025, Dekalb County passed a resolution to begin implementing the income-based water debt forgiveness program passed in February which would help give full debt forgiveness for low-income Dekalb residents with past water and sewer billing debt. It is set to be fully implemented by early September. Dekalb County has become the first jurisdiction in the Deep South to begin to implement such a program following other cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, and Baltimore that have similar programs.
In February 2025, DeKalb County passed a resolution to make water affordable and protect residents, especially Black, low-income, and disabled working families, who are disproportionately affected by astronomical water bills and disconnections.The February resolution promised an income-based water affordability plan within 30 days. Six months later, residents are still plagued with unaffordable water bills as high as $40,000 and no program to assist them.
We are in a national environmental justice crisis in which Black communities suffer disproportionately from water unaffordability, lack equal access to plumbing and face higher risks of water contamination. The Thurgood Marshall Institute’s Water/Color report explains the drivers of inequality in water access, and shows that Black, low-income, and disabled residents across the U.S. are disproportionately affected by unaffordable water service and disconnection practices.
LDF and several local organizations – including DeKalb Water Watch, the South River Watershed Alliance, American Friends Service Committee, and New Disabled South – have been intensely advocating to ensure Black residents, families with children, seniors, and residents with disabilities have access to clean, affordable.
