Duggan outlines plan to help pay water bills; shutoffs to resume Aug. 25

[alp227]

Source: Detroit Free Press

Detroit residents will have an easier time enrolling in payment plans for unpaid water bills and late payment penalties will be waived under a new plan Mayor Mike Duggan announced today to address the city’s sharply criticized water shut-off program.

While admitting the aggressive shut-off policy has not reflected well on Detroit, Duggan said his 10-point plan will better inform residents when their water service could be cut and make it easier for customers to make payments.

Duggan, who was given authority over the water department’s operations last week, said the current moratorium on residential shut-offs will end as planned on Aug. 25.

Since March, the water department has cut service to about 17,000 accounts to encourage delinquent customers to pay their bills. Service was restored to about 60% of those accounts.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20140807/NEWS01/308070075/Detroit-water-shutoff-collections

[philosslayer]

1. Access to water is a human right

No one's water should ever be shut off. Ever.

[freshwest]

2. So 40% = 6,800 people in a large city still don't have water?

Last edited Thu Aug 7, 2014, 11:00 PM - Edit history (1)

I'd like to say, 'Hell, where's FEMA?' But it isn't their charter, nor the EPA, CDC, HHS, is it?

But FEMA has to be INVITED by the governor, the states are not forced to take aid. They gave aid in the form of bottled water in WV during the time the water was contaminated. The governor doesn't see the emergency. For those without water for any length of time, it's a matter of sanitation, health and value for property, as well as being able to get ready for work. Unused pipes can cause problems later.

Think of the public health hazards that could ensue. This disaster was made by Synder, most likely. A program to assist the ones still without water will be needed, unless the GOP want another Katrina diasphoria to happen.

Where is the Michigan state government on this? And do the voters of MI care about this, really? And will those affected get out to vote?

It is those most affected that Sanders says he is afraid will NOT turn out to vote in November...

[LovingA2andMI]

4. Where City Residents Are On This?

From The People's Water Board Sympothium last Sunday:

[Corey_Baker08]

3. I Recently Got My Water Shut Off Not Because I Owed The Water Company....

I Live in the state of Indiana but for some reason in my city, they recently quit including your sewage bill in on your water bill making them to separate bills and if you fail to pay your sewage bill, your water will get shut off immediately even if you are up to date with the water company...it sux my sewage bill runs about $169 a month and I don't know why, it seems to expensive, and it is. I can't afford it LOL