FOX 5's Morse Diggs discovered more than 40,000 customers are at least 90 days behind in paying their bills.
Mike Geisler is the new finance person at the Department of Watershed Management. He said that the unpaid bills are a result of customers falling on hard times at the same time the city hiked up rates.
Atlanta has the highest water rates in the nation, and there have been increases each year since 2004 except for 2005, Diggs reports.
Geisler said that a third of the delinquent accounts are inactive.
"We are sort of in a monopolistic situation here, where withdrawing water from customers is a bit more difficult than, say, not giving someone an oil change," said Geisler.
Geisler promised to be more aggressive in collecting unpaid bills. He said an outside agency has been hired and will begin collections in early 2013.
Delinquent customers have the chance to use payment plans, where they can pay a portion of the debt until they are caught up.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
