Major improvements to DeKalb's water and sewer system are far behind schedule, and the consequences are being felt across the county.

Proposed businesses and apartments projects are being warned of potential sewer capacity limitations. Sewer spills continue to pollute rivers. And residents have been paying for the improvements through their water bills, which increased 59 percent to pay for the upgrades.

The $1.35 billion infrastructure effort was originally planned in 2010 to to be finished in five years, but now it won't be done till 2022.

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In 2022, Georgia Power projected its winter peak electricity demand would grow by about 400 megawatts by 2031. Since then, Georgia has experienced a boom of data centers, which require a large load of electricty to run, and Georgia Power's recent forecast shows peak demand growing by 20 times the 400-megawatt estimate from just three years ago. (Illustration by Philip Robibero/AJC)

Credit: Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC