A pressing demand has come forth from advocacy groups and locals in DeKalb County as they seek an immediate stop to the practice of water service shutoffs. This coalition, which includes the Legal Defense Fund, DeKalb Water Watch, and other organizations, rallied outside the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management, urging that such interruptions in water service wait at least until a new water affordability program commences on July 1, according to FOX5 Atlanta.
The underpinning of this strife is not hard to discern, it appears those affected most by these shutoffs are predominantly low-income or disabled Black residents, the new policy, approved by the Board of Commissioners and slated to provide relief through an income-based water billing system, won't take effect until the mentioned date, and meanwhile, the shutoffs persist. Star McKenzie, the founder of DeKalb Water Watch, is pushing for a billing system that would ideally cap bills at 3% of household incomes while also establishing fairer payment options; Star McKenzie revealed to FOX5 Atlanta, “the new system caps bills at 3% of household income and establishes reasonable payment plans for those facing financial hardship,” during a press conference that converged ahead of a pivotal Board of Commissioners meeting.
Adding to the outcry is the previous decision by county leaders in February to impose a 10% increase on water and sewer rates progressively over the next decade, as reported by WSBTV. These hikes are intended to fund critical renovations for the Scott Candler Water Treatment Facility, among other infrastructure projects, nonetheless, the looming threat of increased financial strain hovers over residents.
During a DeKalb County commissioners meeting, residents like Stone Mountain's Brandy Knox expressed their plight, with Knox disclosing to WSBTV, "I received a water bill for more than $18 thousand, an amount that doesn’t reflect my household’s actual usage," she bemoaned her fate to officials who have indicated the willingness to discuss residential billing disputes and associated topics in this morning press conference. Despite the county's assurance of programs like the Installment Payment Agreement (IPA), which offers flexible payment arrangements, and its six other programs to help customers struggling to pay their water bills, the sense of urgency from the advocacy groups and affected residents remains palpable.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has indicated that discussions on affordability programs will continue, with residents like Knox imploring county leaders, "Madam CEO, I am a mother who wants to provide a good home with clean water for my children. Please implement the affordability legislation," Knox’s plea, a mother’s plea, striking at the heart of what it means to live with dignity in the oft-overlooked substrata of fiscal distress and bureaucratic policy, according to WSBTV.
