Jan 25, 2025
Imagine opening your water bill to find a $10,000 charge for just two months of water usage.
That's exactly what Kelly Walker and her husband, homeowners in Sandy Springs, Georgia, experienced just two months after moving into a new home in the suburb of Atlanta.
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The couple was shocked at the water bill — their second after moving in — especially after they quickly realized there was a leak and fixed it.
“We understand there was a leak, but it's unfortunate we did not get the first bill. It was our second bill that was $10,000,” Walker told ABC’s WSB-TV. The leak, which was in the yard's irrigation system, had been fixed quickly by a plumber.
However, it was the sewage charges tied to the leak that turned out to be the most problematic.
How did the bill hit $10,000?
As WSB-TV reports, the City of Atlanta bills homeowners for both water that comes out of the sewer drain and water that goes into the sewer drain. However, Walker insists that the water from the leak didn’t flow into the sewer system — it seeped directly into the ground. She argues that they should not be charged for sewer usage if the water didn’t actually go down the drain.
But the city's billing system calculates sewer charges based on water consumption, regardless of whether that water enters the sewer system. In other words, if you use water, the city assumes that it eventually flows into the sewer system.
"How is that legal? To bill us for something they can't even prove went into the sewer? That's just — that's just wrong." Walker said in an interview. Despite attempts to resolve the issue, the city insists they pay the charges, leaving the couple stuck in an ongoing dispute.
The couple isn’t alone. Last year, Christa DiBiase, in nearby DeKalb County, faced a similar issue, though her bill wasn't quite as extreme. After watering sod in her front yard daily for a couple months, she told WSB-TV about receiving a bill for more than $2,000, despite the water never actually entering the drain.
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As the situation drags on, Walker says she and her husband have spent countless hours trying to resolve the issue with the City of Atlanta with no success. "They told us you owe it, pay it," she told WSB-TV’s Ashli Lincoln.
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How to prevent surprisingly high water bills
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family spends more than $1,000 on water usage each year. This means Walker’s bill is 10 times the average annual cost — for just two month's usage.
There is one glimmer of hope. The City of Atlanta recommends that residents get an irrigation meter. The device tracks water usage more accurately, notifies the billing department that the water is not going down the sewer and could save homeowners money. DeKalb County and Fulton County, where Walker and her husband live, offer these meters — as do many other states. While you may be charged for installation, it could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your water bill each month.
Besides installing an irrigation meter, homeowners can take other steps to prevent unexpectedly high water bills, including asking for a smart meter to be installed. This can help you monitor water usage via an app and potentially help you spot leaks faster.
Also, make sure you understand how your water bill is calculated. Homeowners who use a lot of water outside, such as to fill pools or to water their yards, should verify whether they are billed for sewage usage. Look for a charge listed as something like sewer service based on water usage to see if your city uses this same billing method as Atlanta.
Walker's situation remains unresolved. However, the city told WSB-TV that it is looking into the issue. One thing is clear: as more people become aware of this issue, it’s likely more will take steps to prevent such charges in the future. With the right tools and knowledge, homeowners can help prevent similar surprises on their own water bills.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
