2020 - 2021 Capital Improvement Program

A narrow pipe bridge crosses a muddy stream, surrounded by piles of gray rocks and lush green trees, conveying a rustic and rugged scene.

On February 23, 2021, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the Department of Watershed Management’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP 2021), following the recommendation of CEO Michael Thurmond.

Covering the 2021–2030 period, this 10-year investment plan supports critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements designed to strengthen system reliability, protect public health, and meet the needs of DeKalb County’s growing community. Developed using data-driven planning, hydraulic modeling, and infrastructure prioritization, CIP 2021 serves as a long-term roadmap for maintaining and improving essential watershed services. Learn more about the program’s projects, planning, and funding through the resources below.

Program Lifecycle

Executive Summary Part A

Executive Summary Part B

Board Presentations

To support transparency and public accountability, presentations are organized within each step of the Program Lifecycle to document key decisions, project evaluations, funding discussions, and implementation updates. These materials provide a historical record of the CIP process and allow residents, stakeholders, and decision-makers to track project progress as investments move through planning and delivery.

Step 1 - Identification

CIP 2021 Definition PWI September 1, 2020

Step 2 - Initiation

(no presentations for this phase)

Step 3 - Prioritization

Step 4 - Approval & Funding

Step 5 - Delivery

The New Day Project

New Day Project

Launched in 2019 as part of DeKalb County’s commitment to improving water billing operations, the New Day Project was established to address longstanding billing challenges, strengthen accountability, and improve service for residents. Led under the administration of Michael Thurmond, the initiative focused on increasing transparency in the County’s water billing process and restoring public trust through operational improvements and system upgrades.

This section provides historical information and resources related to the New Day Project, including water billing updates, the County’s water meter exchange and upgrade initiative, and archived presentations documenting the progress of these efforts. Residents with questions about their water bill may contact the Department of Watershed Management Customer Care team at 404-378-4475.

Water Meter Exchange and Upgrade Initiative

Launched in April 2019 as part of the New Day Project, the Water Meter Exchange and Upgrade Initiative was a three-year effort to replace 102,000 aging and potentially defective water meters across DeKalb County Government. The initiative supports the county’s commitment to improving billing accuracy, modernizing infrastructure, and restoring public confidence in the water billing process.

At the start of the program, approximately 54,500 meters had exceeded their service life and 47,500 were identified as potentially defective. Through a product liability settlement with the manufacturer, DeKalb County secured $8.64 million in equipment, installation, and reprogramming services to support the replacement effort.

The upgraded meters use advanced technology to transmit water consumption data electronically, improving efficiency and reducing the need for manual meter readings. Customers received advance notice prior to installation, with all work completed by trained and identifiable crews.

Water Billing Improvements

As part of the New Day Project, DeKalb County Government implemented critical improvements to restore stability and confidence in the county’s water billing system. The first phase of the initiative resulted in the release of approximately 37,000 held water bills and returned all customers to a normal billing cycle.

To improve customer service and billing accuracy, the county expanded call center and field service staffing, reducing average customer wait times and improving response times. An independent verification process was also established to strengthen billing accuracy and reduce errors, helping decrease disputed bills from more than 4,000 to only a few hundred.

As part of these ongoing improvements, DeKalb County continues to modernize its billing operations through the implementation of a new water billing system designed to enhance reliability, transparency, and customer service.