DeKalb's sewer work could start in June

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Work could start as early as June to help DeKalb County meet a federal mandate to improve its sewers.

On Tuesday, water director Francis Kung'u said he plans to advertise to hire a program manager for the county’s $1.35 billion water and sewer project later this month and award a contract in May.

In December, the federal Environmental Protection Agency mandated the county improve its sewer system after reporting more than 800 raw sewage spills over five years.

On Tuesday, commissioners objected to Kung'u's proposal to have county employees manage the project. “I’m really leaning to folks who have expertise to do this,” Commissioner Larry Johnson said. “We’re under a consent decree. This is not just something we’re doing to be good citizens. This is something we have to do and we have to do it right.”