Atlanta Revives Water-Bill Relief as Shutoffs Loom
Atlanta reopened its FLOAT program on November 2, 2026, offering help to single-family residential customers with water bills at least 61 days overdue. The city has more than $230 million in unpaid water balances across more than 60,000 accounts, according to officials; a city audit put the delinquent debt at about $236 million.
Eligible customers may be able to make a 2.5% down payment and pay the rest through interest-free plans of up to 36 months. Depending on eligibility, the program may also offer one-time grants or credits, late-fee relief and account adjustments. Customers must schedule and attend an appointment with a municipal collections representative to enroll; assistance is not automatic.
Applications are available at five city locations. City Hall and the Watershed Management headquarters opened November 2, with extended hours through November 6. Three recreation centers began accepting applications November 3. The program ends January 31, 2027, after which the Watershed Management Department plans to increase residential shutoffs for delinquent accounts.
Commissioner Greg Eyerly said the department aims to work with residents on payment solutions while recovering unpaid balances. City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari said the effort is intended to pursue the debt while avoiding penalties for customers harmed by the system. Customers disputing unusually high balances may also seek help from the Water and Sewer Appeals Board, whose authority to issue account credits was expanded by a city ordinance.
Atlanta Offers Water-Bill Relief Before Expanding Shutoffs
With water service an essential household need, Atlanta has reopened a program to help eligible single-family customers whose bills are overdue by 61 days or more. FLOAT offers payment plans and possible grants, credits and fee relief as the city pursues more than $230 million in unpaid balances across over 60,000 accounts.
Eligible customers may make a 2.5% down payment and pay remaining balances through interest-free plans of up to 36 months. Enrollment requires an in-person appointment with a city collection agent, and assistance is not automatic. The program runs through January 31, 2027; after that, the Watershed Management Department plans to increase residential shutoffs on delinquent accounts.
The city opened applications at five locations, with City Hall and department headquarters accepting applicants from November 2 and three recreation centers opening November 3. Commissioner Greg Eyerly said the department wants to connect residents with payment solutions. Council member Liliana Bakhtiari stressed that debt collection should not punish customers who are victims of the system. The expanded authority of the Water and Sewer Appeals Board also gives customers disputing high balances another avenue to seek account credits.
The program offers a path to resolve debt without immediately cutting off service. But its limited enrollment period and planned increase in shutoffs make timely access to relief consequential for households already struggling with overdue bills.
Atlanta Pairs Water-Bill Relief With a Push to Collect Debt
Atlanta is offering overdue customers a structured way to repay water bills while addressing more than $230 million in unpaid balances spread across over 60,000 accounts. The FLOAT program applies to single-family residential customers at least 61 days behind, and enrollment requires a completed meeting with a city collection agent.
Qualified customers can put down 2.5% and pay the remainder through interest-free plans of up to 36 months. Some may also qualify for grants, credits, late-fee relief or account adjustments. The program runs until January 31, 2027, after which the Watershed Management Department says it will increase shutoffs for delinquent residential accounts.
Applications opened at two city offices on November 2, followed by three recreation centers on November 3. Commissioner Greg Eyerly said the city wants to work with residents while recovering unpaid balances. Council member Liliana Bakhtiari said officials are seeking to pursue the debt without punishing customers who are victims of the system.
Relief can help eligible residents address bills, but the city’s collection effort also depends on customers taking the required steps to enroll. FLOAT sets a defined window for those arrangements before the planned expansion of shutoffs. The Water and Sewer Appeals Board can also issue account credits for customers disputing high balances, under authority expanded by a city ordinance.
Reported by Atlanta News First, FOX 5 Atlanta.
