DeKalb County’s aging water system faces serious setbacks, and the price tag could be steep. Officials have admitted they won’t meet a 2027 deadline to overhaul the county’s wastewater infrastructure, a delay that could result in penalties of up to $100 million.

The county had agreed to the repairs under a consent decree with federal and state regulators, aiming to fix failing sewer systems in south DeKalb. However, authorities have revealed that full compliance might not happen until 2037—ten years later than promised.

County leaders are considering a 10-percent annual water rate hike for the next decade to fund the overdue upgrades. The average monthly water bill could jump from around $70 to over $180 if approved by 2036.

Officials argue that the increase is necessary to maintain safe drinking water and avoid even more significant financial consequences.

Meanwhile, work has already begun on specific projects, including a 10-month sewer line repair along Caladium Drive. The county has also launched town hall forums to explain the situation’s urgency. DeKalb’s population has grown nearly nine times since the 1940s, so infrastructure demands have skyrocketed.