Detroit Shuts Off Water For 1,000 Poor Residents
The Detroit Water and Sewage Department began shutting off water to about 1,000 delinquent accounts on Tuesday, against the wishes of the city council.
The department didn’t return a request for the exact number of accounts that have been shut off so far. It distributed about 3,000 door hangers earlier in the month warning residents that they had ten business days to get on a payment plan or risk having their water turned off. About 800 signed up for the plans, which allow them to keep their water on if they can stay current on their bills. But many who sign up eventually fall behind again, as the average bill is about $75 but the average past due amount is $755.
