Wastewater Retainage Credit Program

Wastewater Retainage Credit Program

DeKalb County has adopted a new initiative that will allow residential and commercial customers to save money on their sewer service.

Enacted by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners on January 10, 2017, the Wastewater Retainage Credit Program allows for an adjustment in the wastewater related charges for industrial, commercial and residential users that routinely discharge significantly less wastewater to the sewer system compared to the water consumed.  Under normal conditions, sewer consumption charges are applied at the same volume as water consumption charges.  Under this program, adjustments are allowed in the wastewater related charges for industrial and commercial users whose use consumes water, which reduces the amount of wastewater returned to the system.  Residential customers who use water to fill private, residential swimming pools or to hand water a private garden are also eligible.

For customers above 40,000 gallons per bi-monthly billing cycle, the standard rate for water service is $4.63 per 1,000 gallons and sewer service is $11.34 per 1,000 gallons, or $15.99 per 1,000 gallons combined.  The applicable irrigation rate is $8.08, or nearly a 50% savings.

To qualify, industrial and commercial customers must choose one of two approaches.  One method is to sub-meter the water line or lines feeding any consumptive use, such as water used in the production of a product, boiler supply water, or other consumptive uses.  The other option is to utilize a wastewater meter to measure all combined wastewater discharged to the DeKalb’s sanitary sewer system.  Either method allows the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) to accurately record the volume of water directed to such consumptive use, and exempt that amount from standard sewer charges.  

Residents can also take advantage of this program for the purposes of filling a private residential pool or for the hand watering of a private garden, if they are located more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant.  In the case of a pool, one adjustment can be made per year based upon the documented volume of water required to fill the pool.  Customers who hand water gardens and do not have an irrigation meter may be eligible for an adjustment to their bill no more than three times in any 12 month period provided that the water line serving their property is equipped with a smart meter that is integrated into DWM’s AMI system. Such an adjustment will be based on the documented volume of water required to hand water the private garden and shall be capped at no more than one-hundred (100) gallons per adjustment.

For more information about Wastewater Retainage Credit Program contact: Email: wastewaterretainage@dekalbcountyga.gov  or call 404-687- 4010 or 404-371-2667.

Wastewater Retainage Credit FAQ

Residential Wastewater Retainage Credit Application

Commercial Wastewater Retainage Credit Application

Wastewater Retainange Credit Policy Resolution