‘I got to have water:’ Atlanta relaunches relief program for overdue water bills

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is relaunching an initiative to help eligible customers manage overdue water bills following an audit that revealed more than $230 million in unpaid balances.The debt spans more than 60,000 accounts across the city, officials said.The relaunched FLOAT initiative assists single-family residential customers who are at least 61 days behind on their water bills. The program offers long-term payment plans, affordable down payments and one-time grants.Assistance options and eligibilityAssistance through FLOAT is not automatic. Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Greg Eyerly said the agency wants to work with customers to find payment solutions.“Not paying your water bill is not shortchanging the government, it is shortchanging your neighbors and putting Atlanta’s future at a greater risk and uncertainty,” Eyerly said.Eyerly said the program is intended to help stabilize the utility while the city s