Following numerous complaints about inexplicably high water bills, Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May announced a moratorium Tuesday on residential water disconnections.
The county government will allow water to keep flowing to residents whose accounts are being disputed, and their bills will be reviewed by a third party, May said. The moratorium on water shut-offs lasts until the end of the year.
Residents frequently say they're being overcharged for water, with bills exceeding $1,000 or more in some cases.
“I have always said that one incorrect water bill is too many, and we have a number of issues that could factor into many errors on bills,” May said in a statement. “We must ensure that the process is accurate, and we have to err on the side of caution until we are confident that it is.”
Customers who believe their bills are in error must contact the county’s customer service center to qualify for the moratorium. Then their accounts will be investigated.
Residents with disputed balances will be required to pay their average amount due until the case is resolved.
Increased water usage is the main reason that water bills rise, according to county audits, but the county is responsible for sharp increases in water bills about 13 percent of the time.
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