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Water is a Human Right. Dekalb County, Georgia, Must do better.

Residents across DeKalb County are still being threatened with water shutoffs and unaffordable debt — even after the county passed an affordability resolution. It's time for Dekalb County to follow through with its promise to make water more affordable and stop the shutoffs.

What's Going on in Dekalb County?

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.

  • Shutoff notices are still being sent without any income verification, which is required by the resolution.
  • Residents are being pressured into seven-year payment plans they can't afford.
  • Astronomically high bills are still being sent to residents.

The Resolution Is Clear. Now It Must Be Followed

Key Provisions Passed by the County:

  • No shutoffs for households with seniors, children, or people with disabilities who are low-income.
  • Water bills capped at 1 to 3 percent of monthly income for households earning under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Creation of an independent Customer Advocate’s Office with authority to review bills, conduct investigations, and help residents dispute incorrect bills.

Pause for the Cause

DeKalb County must stop all coercive activity and water disconnections while they implement the requirements of the new resolution.

The DeKalb County Executive must:

  • Enforce the affordability resolution
  • Pause all water shutoffs during implementation
  • Suspend enrollment in unaffordable seven-year payment plans
  • Ensure the Customer Advocate’s Office is fully independent and resourced

WATER/COLOR:

A Study of Race and the Water Affordability Crisis in America's Cities

The water crises Black communities face reflect at racist system across the U.S.

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.

Water/Color: A Study of Race and the Water Affordability Crisis in America’s Cities (2019)
Water/Color 2023: An Update on Water Crises Facing Black Communities

LDF, along with our partners at DeKalb Water Watch, have been using a strategic combination of legal action, community organizing, and advocacy to push for increased water affordability for low-income communities and to reduce water shutoffs in Dekalb County. Research shows that low-income communities are paying too much for water, and we are working with grassroots organizations to organize low-income communities about the issue of water affordability and water shutoffs. We have helped community members testify in front of the Dekalb County Commission to tell their story, and we have held multiple press conferences to get the media involved in ensuring that community stories are being heard.

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