Atlanta residents struggling with overdue water bills have another opportunity to seek financial relief before the city increases residential shutoffs.
Keeping water service on while reducing overdue balances is the goal of the relaunched FLOAT program, which makes grants and payment arrangements available to eligible households.
Here's what to know
An audit found more than $230 million in unpaid water bills across more than 60,000 Atlanta accounts, according to Atlanta News First. Those outstanding balances are the reason for the Department of Watershed Management's decision to bring back FLOAT.
Collecting Atlanta's overdue water payments and supporting the utility's stability are linked goals of FLOAT, according to Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Greg Eyerly. He said the agency wants to work with customers to find ways they can pay, per Atlanta News First.
Customers with delinquent accounts will face an increase in residential water shutoffs after FLOAT ends on Jan. 31, 2027, the commissioner said.
More background
Water remains a household necessity even as utility expenses rise, a challenge FLOAT can help lifelong Atlanta resident Rita Bennett-Green address. She applied on Nov. 2.
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"My water bill, it done went up again," Bennett-Green said, per Atlanta News First. "Everything is more expensive! I got to have water, I got to have gas, and I got to have light."
Residents may not have to leave a monthly bill unpaid when they receive help with overdue balances, she explained.
What can be done?
According to Atlanta News First, FLOAT assistance is available to single-family residential customers whose water payments are overdue by 61 days or more. In addition to one-time grants, FLOAT offers manageable initial payments and extended repayment arrangements.
Customers who qualify still need to submit an application.
Five city locations began accepting in-person applications Nov. 2. Three additional locations opened Nov. 3, with those sites operating weekdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to Atlanta News First.
The last Saturday application session falls on Jan. 30, just one day before the program's Jan. 31, 2027, deadline. Saturday applications are accepted at the C.T. Martin Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21, Dec. 19, Jan. 9, and Jan. 30.
"It'll help a lot of people besides me, you know, on paying their bills and stuff and that way you won't have to throw nothing up in there that says well this don't get paid this month … you know it'll help a lot," Bennett-Green said.
Where can I learn more?
Residents in other cities are also facing overdue water bills and the risk of shutoffs.
• Phoenix says 7,000 overdue water accounts owe $24 million, with shutoffs possible next month.
• A Georgia senior says her county billed her for another home's water, then disconnected service.
• Beaumont residents received water bills with one day to pay, but officials say shutoffs aren't imminent.
• In Texas, utility customers 60 and older can request a later due date and avoid late fees.
• Savannah offers stormwater bill relief to low-income households living within the city's limits.
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