Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

DeKalb launches inspection of water valves, fire hydrants

DeKalb County completes Glendale Water Main, $7.5 million infrastructure project.
DeKalb County completes Glendale Water Main, $7.5 million infrastructure project.
By
Nov 29, 2021

DeKalb officials have launched a two-year endeavor to inspect tens of thousands of water valves and fire hydrants throughout the county.

The project, which started Monday, is aimed at assessing “the condition and functionality of the DeKalb County water distribution system.” A total of 55,000 water valves and 20,000 fire hydrants will be examined.

WACHS Water Services has been contracted to complete the work on behalf of the county.

The project is part of DeKalb’s $2.4 billion Capital Improvement Program, which includes efforts to address county’s sewer and water infrastructure.

The county is under a new federal consent decree mandating repairs to the long-neglected sewer system, and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond has said the water system is “facing a major crisis and the potential of a catastrophic collapse” unless significant improvements are made in the coming years.

About the Author

Before taking over the AJC's Sports Daily newsletter, Tyler Estep spent two years writing the A.M. ATL newsletter. A Gwinnett County native and University of Georgia graduate, he has been with the AJC since 2015 and previously worked as a reporter on the breaking news, hyperlocal and local government teams.

Follow Tyler Estep on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The bizarre turn of events unfolded Sunday inside Ace Liquors in the 580 block of Franklin Gateway, Marietta police said. (Courtesy of Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Marietta store manager reported a shoplifter. An hour later, he was in custody.

A liquor store manager was arrested, just an hour after he called Marietta police to report a shoplifter.

Quintessential summer day on tap for Peachtree Road Race

We’ll get to enjoy Fourth of July festivities under mostly sunny skies across North Georgia — optimal conditions for backyard cookouts and games.

2h ago

All but two Lake Lanier parks will reopen for holiday weekend

The parks are reopening this week under agreements with Forsyth and Hall counties, which will provide county employees as rangers in exchange for fee revenue.

The Latest

Children cool off in a splash fountain in Atlanta's historic Fourth Ward Park. The forecast for the Fourth of July and the holiday weekend calls for hot days with drier air. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Quintessential summer day on tap for Peachtree Road Race

2h ago

Marietta store manager reported a shoplifter. An hour later, he was in custody.

Day care horror: Man guilty of killing woman while she held their child

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS

Amid UPS struggles, shipper makes first-ever plans to offer buyouts to drivers

UPS said in a written statement it is navigating “an unprecedented business landscape.”

Kneeling man impaled by giant straw? Towering mural leaves public mystified.

A towering mural on the side of the Connally Hotel has mystified Atlanta since 2011. Who is the kneeling man, and what's piercing him? Is it a beam of light? A drinking straw?

OPINION

I just graduated college. Will I be able to buy a house like my parents did?

A recent college grad asks: Am I going to be able to buy a home like my parents did less than 30 years ago?