DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has announced a proposal for increased water and sewer rates, emphasizing the urgent need for upgrades to the county's aging infrastructure in an effort to prevent a "catastrophic failure" of the system. This initiative comes in the wake of recent water outages in neighboring Atlanta, as reported by WABE.
"We are not beginning a journey. What we are asking this governing authority to do, and what we will ask our ratepayers to do, is to help us with the resources needed to continue this process. This is not a reaction to anything. This is us continuing to be proactive," Thurmond stated, making it clear that the intention is to maintain progress rather than respond to emergencies, during a meeting with county commissioners on Tuesday, he conveyed the gravity of the situation, citing over $500 million that has already been invested in the water system over the past seven years, according to WABE.
The focal point of concerns is the county's sole water treatment facility, the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, with Thurmond highlighting a narrow three-to-five-year window for crucial investments to avoid a critical shutdown. "If this plant stops pumping fresh water, there are no other options," he explained, labeling potential issues at the Candler plant as "our worst nightmare," as stated by WABE. Details on the impending rate increases and strategies for mitigating financial impacts on vulnerable populations are anticipated to be disclosed at the June 20 meeting of the DeKalb County Commission’s Committee of the Whole.
Moreover, Thurmond addressed long-term infrastructure strategies; with water main replacements ongoing throughout DeKalb County, both incorporated and unincorporated regions are set to benefit. These essential projects could tally up to $4.4 billion over a 25-year span; however, his immediate concern remains focused on the one-to-five-year plan, estimating the Scott Candler Plant modifications alone to cost around $250 million, according to his discussions with the press.
At the tail end of his term, with a year-end departure due to term limits, Thurmond is resolute in bearing the responsibility for this financial decision. "I don't want to burden the next CEO by having to make a request for a rate increase early on in their administration, this is on Mike, this needs to be done to protect the quality of life in Dekalb," he conveyed, acknowledging the significance of proactive leadership in safeguarding DeKalb’s future water security, as reported by WABE.
