DeKalb CEO: water billing disputes now low; county names Urban League as consumer advocate and outlines payment, outreach policies

DeKalb County officials told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday they have sharply reduced the number of active water billing disputes from a peak measured in prior years and that the county will work with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to operate consumer advocacy and income-based assistance tied to the county's water affordability resolution.

Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran Johnson and watershed staff said the volume of active disputes is now in the double digits. Cochran Johnson said DeKalb had 233 disconnections by April last year; in 2025 year-to-date there have been 89 disconnections and, at the time of the briefing, 82 open disputes. The county presented an outstanding balance to the utility of $104,719,076.56, with residential owners responsible for about $45,086,390.70, residential tenants $22,150,010.29, condominiums $25,489,316.01 and apartment communities $11,993,359.56.

"I want to assure you that mass disconnections are not taking place," Cochran Johnson said. She said…