Georgia commits over $100 million to modernize aging water and sewer infrastructure
DeKalb County commissioners have approved more than $100 million in new engineering and rehabilitation contracts aimed at advancing long-delayed upgrades to the Georgia county’s aging water and sewer system, 11 Alive reported. The action comes after several years of high-profile water main breaks and amid continued debate over a proposed long-term water rate hike.
At this week’s Board of Commissioners meeting, members approved a $64 million multiyear on-call engineering contract spread across eight major firms, including Tetra Tech, Brown and Caldwell, CDM Smith, Stantec, Arcadis, Hazen and Sawyer, Carollo Engineers and Gresham Smith. The agreement covers engineering studies, surveying, design work, and construction administration for water and wastewater projects through 2029.
Commissioners also advanced two major sewer rehabilitation contracts, awarding $21.5 million to SAK Construction for trenchless sewer line renewal and $16 million to Insituform Technologies for inspection, cleaning, and cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) work through 2027. A separate $360,000 contract to Atkins North America will support design and engineering to upsize trunk sewers tied to seven recurring sanitary sewer overflow areas.
According to 11 Alive, the approvals follow the county’s decision earlier this year to delay a controversial water rate increase—one officials said was needed to raise $4.5 billion for long-term upgrades. The proposed plan would have raised residential rates 10% annually for a decade, but it was paused following significant community pushback. County leaders said they will revisit the increase after completing a public education campaign led by the Urban League of Greater Atlanta.
As DeKalb works to modernize a strained water and sewer network, officials say the newly awarded contracts are essential to reducing overflows, improving system reliability, and addressing decades of deferred maintenance.
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