DeKalb outlines $4.27 billion CIP and weighs transmission-main options to reduce breaks

DeKalb County watershed officials told the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee that a multi‑billion dollar, 10‑year capital improvement program (CIP) is intended to modernize aging water and sewer systems and reduce frequent pipeline breaks.

The department presented the CIP framework and finance model used to fund the program, including the county's 10-by-10 rate policy that provides predictable annual water and sewer adjustments. "The CIP includes more than $4,270,000,000 in capital projects during the 10 year period," staff said, with roughly $2.4 billion slated for wastewater projects and $1.9 billion for water projects.

Why it matters: Watershed leaders say the spending is meant to correct decades of underinvestment, replace hundreds of miles of aging pipe and reduce the service disruptions that have affected residents and businesses. The CIP also supports the county's consent-decree obligations and planned trunk‑sewer upsizing that begins in 2026.

Key facts and proposals: Greg from the CIP team told commissioners the department ended 2025 with about $221 million in CIP spending and that authorities have authorized more than $460 million in contracts and change orders since the CIP was approved. Arjun Botes, principal engineer, described a proposed 60‑inch transmission main to increase capacity and resiliency. He said Phase A is about 9.5 miles and the total capital cost for the new transmission main is roughly $278,000,000.

Arjun explained routing constraints and benefits: the route would link the Scott Candler plant to storage and service areas and eliminate approximately 21,700 feet (over 4 miles) of existing 30‑inch PCCP, producing an estimated $40–$45 million in avoided cost for that segment alone. He summarized the purpose: "The 60 inch water main is necessary to provide the capacity for the future growth of this county, but also very importantly to provide the resiliency so that as Watershed, we can deliver on our promise of reliable water service to this county." (Arjun Botes, principal engineer.)

Alternative considered: A consultant noted an alternative approach that would upsize two existing 30‑inch mains to two 48‑inch mains instead of building a single 60‑inch main; staff estimated lifecycle savings in the neighborhood of $150–$200 million over 20 years by combining renewal of existing mains with new capacity in a coordinated program. In committee discussion, staff said two 48‑inch mains would be hydraulically superior to a single 60‑inch main and would preserve redundancy for maintenance and inspections.

Asset management and delivery: Staff emphasized a program-management plan and an asset-management dashboard that scores pipes by age, material and failure history to prioritize renewals. The department said it has packaged more than 400 projects and that about 80 projects are currently covered in the 10‑year CIP; it described the CIP as an evolving program that will be presented for final approval in May.

What's next: The department will return with more detailed project lists, cost profiles and a dashboard view showing the effect of different investment levels on pipe conditions. Commissioners asked staff to continue assessing the northern mains first and to bring forward cost and sequencing options for the transmission‑main alternatives.