For three hours, an angry crowd of DeKalb residents pressed county leaders to do something about absurd water bills that at times exceed $1,000.

They demanded answers and complained about extreme bills during a tense town meeting Thursday night.

Residents said they couldn't understand how their government could charge them so much for a basic necessity, and then fail to provide adequate explanations when residents called a customer service line.

DeKalb commissioners and government employees apologized and pledged to improve, but many homeowners said they lack confidence that the problem will be solved.

Hundreds of DeKalb County residents filled the Maloof Auditorium to a standing-room-only capacity Thursday night, seeking answers to high water bills. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM
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John Raulet, a partner in Raulet Property Partners, stands in the soundstage at Mailing Street Stageworks, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Atlanta. Raulet’s company has either converted or sold off all but one of its soundstages amid a downturn in film production in the U.S. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com