DeKalb CEO: Delinquent water customers owe $104 million and the county will get its money

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson held a press conference on May 14, 2025, to discuss water billing and disputes. (Zoe Seiler/Decaturish)

During a press conference on May 14, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said that the county is owed $104.7 million from delinquent water bills, and there are 600 accounts, each with a balance over $5,000.

The CEO outlined steps the county is taking to collect money it says it is owed, including recorded conversations with customers disputing bills and shutting off water for customers who don’t respond to the county’s notices.

DeKalb County is under scrutiny for its handling of high water bills. Decaturish has talked to a few residents who have water bills of over $8,500, $18,000, and $42,000. Those residents are disputing those charges, and a couple have had their water shut off while they await a resolution. To read more about these residents and their stories, click here.