CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Some homeowners in Clayton County say their water bills have soared ever since the water authority began installing new “Smart Water Meters”.
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County officials say the meters can monitor water usage accurately, remotely and in real time.
Homeowner Salina Jones, who lives in Jonesboro, says her monthly water bills rose sharply after the new water meter was installed.
“I feel like the water company is extorting us. Like, how are we supposed to pay these kinds of bills?” said Jones.
Jones says her water bill in September of last year was around $85. Her most recent bill is $534.
“My water use has remained the same. We are still a household of three. I contacted them twice, and twice they sent inspectors, and they found no leaks. They recommended I inspect the interior, which I did, and there were no leaks. So, I feel like it’s price gouging,” said Jones.
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The homeowner said her water spill steadily increased from spring into summer, rising to $288, to $334, and the most recent over $500 dollars. She says the new water bills she receives have two additional “tiers” of charges, which she believes are unjustified surcharges in her water bill.
“Tier three and tier four are triple the rate for tier one and tier two,” said Jones.
Jones said her neighbors have also complained over recent spikes in water bills. She says if she doesn’t pay her most recent bill next month, her water service may be cut off.
“For someone my age, and having been here 20 years, this is like a mortgage payment. I don’t have the income to support this, so I don’t know what I am going to do,” said Jones.
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The Clayton County Water Authority sent Channel 2 Action News a statement, saying the most recent bill sent to Ms. Jones is accurate.
“Ms. Jones was billed according to her water usage, and her most recent bill, which was billed on September 11, 2026, was $534.30 for 27,000 gallons of water used between 08/05/2026-09/04/2026.
Her smart meter was installed in December 2025, during which her usage was normal during that billing period for the six months, and an uptick began in the June and July billing periods, which is indicative of a leak – typically one unseen so easily, such as a toilet leak.
CCWA staff conducted two high bill rechecks to read her meter and there was no indication of a leak on the outside of the home connected to the meter when those were performed in July.
We are certainly open to going over her bill with her – we offer assistance such as leak adjustments as well as billing assistance programs for our customers and we have tried to express that to her to ensure we are providing our customers with quality service and quality water."
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