How did this woman’s water bill get to $344,000? | ANF Investigates

Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

Alexis Jones’ water bill is astronomical, and she can’t afford to pay it.

She rents the house she lives in with her sister and two kids, and they’ve been without water since DeKalb County shut it off in November for nonpayment.

Jones and her family didn’t use the water; rather, it was a ghost leak in the front yard that wouldn’t be fixed for nearly two and a half years.

DeKalb County records show water usage at 896,000 gallons over a one-month period. The leak was large enough to fill a swimming pool daily, but the county left the water on because it determined it was on private property.

The county held Jones responsible because her name was on the bill.

“I’m in panic mode,” Jones said. “First off, I don’t have this money. Second, how did it get to this, because again, I’m using my water as normal.”