Canadians Planning to deliver water to Detroiters whose water is shut off

UPDATE: The water is on the way... Jump to current discussion >>

http://detroityes.com/webisodes/2014/water-convoy.jpg
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Some of our neighbors to the south are leading to an attempt to deliver water to shut off households in the City of Detroit. Full CBC article here >>

"I've seen this in the poorest countries in the world," Barlow [Council of Canadians] said. "This is what we call failed states, but to see this in North America, it's a disgrace." ...

The Council of Canadians say many observers believe shutting off water is an attempt to appeal to potential private investors.

"We're sitting on the Great Lakes, supplying a fifth of the world’s surface water. It’s appalling," Barlow said.

Barlow will be part of a convoy bringing what she called "good Canadian, public, clean water" across the river to Detroit on July 24.

"Our water is their water," Barlow said.

She is also preparing an appeal to the White House.

"We’re going right to the top," Barlow said.

She has one question for President Barack Obama.

"There are potentially 500,000 people who are going to spend a good part of the summer, in the heat, in the summer, without water. Is that OK with you?" she said.

A serious effort, an attempt to shame, good-hearted but unrealistic? What do you think?

The article also goes on to cite and effort by a 'Detroit Water Brigade'. Anybody familiar with them?

Meanwhile, the Detroit Water Brigade is a group of volunteers bringing water to those who need it.

They are stockpiling bottled water and affordable rainwater collection systems in order to provide potable water, and water for sanitary use.

A distribution centre has been established, where people can come and get water to take home. Home deliveries are also being made.

When you buy water you're not paying for the water. Just like bottled water, you're basically paying for the filtration, delivery system, etc. Just how much is the average Detroit water bill?

When you make paying optional, some folks will stop. There are plenty of charities, churches, and other groups that would be willing to give water to those in need.

What's going on here is that some people figured out that Detroit *was* so incompetent that you could stop paying your bill and have no consequences. Now that Detroit *is* becoming competent, consequences have been restored.

People who purposely choose other things over water when there were no consequences now have huge bills.

Being honest, hard working, and responsible has its perks, including running, filtered water delivered to your house through miles of pipes.

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Originally Posted by 401don

When you buy water you're not paying for the water. Just like bottled water, you're basically paying for the filtration, delivery system, etc. Just how much is the average Detroit water bill?

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Water is only 1/3 - 1/4 of typical metro Detroit bills, the rest is sewage. Trouble is [to bill collectors at least] sewage can't easily be turned off and, if it could, would create public health and safety issues.

Refering to the Canadian posturing...

Yep it's all show for the less educated masses, great theatrics.

Bring all the bottled water you want as long as you also bring in all the porta johns, grey and black water tanks then return home with them full and dispose of in a environmentally correct manner.

How will this water 'brigade' assist those with water shut-offs beyond drinking and a toilet flush by pouring some down the loo? It's warm now, but in less than 90 days winter will be on the way back and remaining water standing in pipes will burst, furnaces with boilers [[for radiators and other such water feeds required) will not be working.

We'll have another wave of destroyed, and abandoned property in the city. A bottle or bucket of free water does not address this.

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Originally Posted by Zacha341

How will this water 'brigade' assist those with water shut-offs beyond drinking and a toilet flush by pouring some down the loo? It's warm now, but in less than 90 days winter will be on the way back and remaining water standing in pipes will burst, furnaces with boilers [[for radiators and other such water feeds required) will not be working.

We'll have another wave of destroyed, an abandoned property in the city. A bottle or bucket of free water does not address this.

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You know it would be nice if all things needed would come together but when procrastination on everybody's part makes it impossible, that's when letting the crap hit the fan is a viable alternative.

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Originally Posted by Lowell

...The article also goes on to cite an effort by a 'Detroit Water Brigade'. Anybody familiar with them?...

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Not until now: Detroit Water Brigade

Dudley Do-Right to the rescue!

Seriously though, this is a supremely magnanimous gesture by our northerly neighbors. May we return the favour someday!

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Originally Posted by 401don

< SNIP>...... Just how much is the average Detroit water bill?

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Attachment 23874

These folks seemed to have figured out comparative waters costs for about 30 cities:


http://www.circleofblue.org/waternew...se-since-2010/

They have computed monthly bills for an average family of four using [[1) Low volume; 50 gallons/person [[2) Mid volume; 100 gallons/person and [[3) high volume; 150 gallons/person. If you look at their chart, above, you will see that Detroiters with MID volume would have a water bill of $37.02 per month. This is among the lowest quartile - only 7 other cities have a lower water bill and 6 cities are billed more than TWICE as much as Detroit.

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Originally Posted by Jimaz

Not until now: Detroit Water Brigade

Dudley Do-Right to the rescue!

Seriously though, this is a supremely magnanimous gesture by our northerly neighbors. May we return the favour someday!

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Kudos to the Canadians. Let's see how they feel about paying for someone elses water 40 years from now. As far as the Detoit Water Brigade and their plan of action, I think I'll just keep on paying my water bill.

I didn't know this, but I guess water for drinking, showering, flushing the toilet, cooking, etc., is all free in Canada. If it's not free to Canadians, when the homeowners don't pay their water bills, the bucket brigade must provide free water to them as well. I love our Canadian neighbors, but I think they should mind their own business and let Detroit get on with collecting unpaid water bills from those who choose not to pay, for whatever reason!

FWIW, the poll at the end of the OP article is currently at:

Do you consider it a human rights violation to shut off water services to those whose bills are in arrears?

Yes 70.16% [[3,109 votes)

No 29.84% [[1,322 votes)

Let's watch how that changes as all the flying monkeys start doing their dirty deeds.

It's all well and good to pat free enterprise on the back when it produces good outcomes, but not everything in life is profitable, and not everything in life needs to be run by free-market rules.

What's come over this country in the last 30 years is a kind of religious, free-market fundamentalism, where smug individuals don't see any larger social mission for government at all. It's very sad to watch.

My grandparents' generation learned -- at great cost -- that a society that gives itself over to a super idea that is lifted above all other ideas will end in destruction. Too many people now lift the commandments of the "free market" above all else, especially when it socks it to their perceived enemies.

Guess what? You're part of the unthinking consensus that is leading America down the road to being a failed state. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will regard you in infamy.

Make no mistake, water rates have gone up quite a bit in Detroit. However, it is still relatively cheap on a national scale. We are spoiled.

I think this was brought up on the fireworks thread, it is amazing people can find money to buy all sorts of useless crap, but can't pay for a basic utility they need to live. It is a matter of complacency, priority, and behaviour, not of affordability in nearly all cases. How many have a cell phone, car, cable, but no water?

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Originally Posted by cla1945

I didn't know this, but I guess water for drinking, showering, flushing the toilet, cooking, etc., is all free in Canada. If it's not free to Canadians, when the homeowners don't pay their water bills, the bucket brigade must provide free water to them as well. I love our Canadian neighbors, but I think they should mind their own business and let Detroit get on with collecting unpaid water bills from those who choose not to pay, for whatever reason!

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Excellent point, well stated!

The big issue here isn't that people can't afford water, but rather that they were allowed not to pay but still get the service for too long.

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Originally Posted by 48307

Excellent point, well stated!

The big issue here isn't that people can't afford water, but rather that they were allowed not to pay but still get the service for too long.

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I agree. How can the city, knowing it neglected collections for so long, and knowing the money management skills of its customers, suddenly expect to collect. They should probably wipe out all bills over 120 days and go forward with payment plans and clear shut-off policies.

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Originally Posted by 401don

I agree. How can the city, knowing it neglected collections for so long, and knowing the money management skills of its customers, suddenly expect to collect. They should probably wipe out all bills over 120 days and go forward with payment plans and clear shut-off policies.

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That's a possible solution.

I have a hard time sympathizing with people who willfully choose to prioritize non-critical things over water. I also don't like rewarding people for doing the wrong thing.

However, the city is at fault as well, and your plan addresses that aspect of it. I could see the fairness in still shutting the water off, but only demanding 120 days. This of course would only apply to residential customers.

Nice gesture. Nice posturing. But water isn't what's needed. Its money.

So please keep 'our' water. But do please pay their water bills.

There's no water shortage. Just a money shortage.

It would be more efficient for these Canadians to just pay these water bills although the theater aspect would be lost. No one should be cut off from water. Michigan should shoulder the bill through welfare but since most of Michigan has a lower median income than Detroit, Michigan should set some qualifiers such as no cable tv, cars worth more than 'x', or other non-necessary assets. Another less meddlesome approach would be to deduct water bills from welfare benefits after such benefits were raised enough to pay for water. There would then be an incentive to moderate water use. if Canadians want to do a photo op with water jugs, that's ok too.

I think to obtain state public assistance you have to list the kind of car you have. Perhaps not. I know I cannot afford cable TV. And Canadian water 'bottle' photo opt will be of little use come late November.

DWSD needs to get their billing together too. The three month billing cycle only help create this volcano of debt and unpaid bills.

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Originally Posted by Zacha341

I know I cannot afford cable TV.

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Yes you can. Just don't pay your water bill. They don't do anything anyway.

And in some cases a PRIORITY shortage! I've always paid my water bill and I sacrifice to be able to pay my core bills 'first'. For years, as I said elsewhere, it was known that nothing changed rather one paid the water bill or not. Heck! The bill didn't even come in your name. Just 'residence', and for sure some of the dead-beat landlords where not making it a priority.

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Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Nice gesture. Nice posturing. But water isn't what's needed. Its money.

So please keep 'our' water. But do please pay their water bills.

There's no water shortage. Just a money shortage.

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Without getting into the who's right/who's wrong of this issue I applaud the Canadian effort.

Well actually I think cable is over-priced so that is why I don't even try to afford it. I've fully adapted to streamed TV now.

To the point: You know the dead-beat landlord is a factor here. Most of these two and four-family homes and other rental property in the D have one [[1) water bill going to one particular resident [[unit) that is to be paid by owner of property who chooses/ chose to ignore it, until -- well, until the day of reckoning: shut off.

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Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Yes you can. Just don't pay your water bill. They don't do anything anyway.

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Originally Posted by Zacha341

Well actually I think cable is over-priced so that is why I don't even try to afford it. I've fully adapted to streamed TV now.

To the point: You know the dead-beat landlord is a factor here. Most of these two and four-family homes and other rental property in the D have one [[1) water bill going to one particular resident [[unit) that is to be paid by owner of property who chooses/ chose to ignore it, until -- well, until the day of reckoning: shut off.

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That depends on the deal that was worked out before the tenant moved in. If the tenant was to pay for utilities, then there is a problem. Do you evict them? Can you get another, more trustworthy tenant? What about the outstanding water bill the previous tenant was supposed to be paying for? I keep thinking I ought to get a TV. Then I go over someone's home who has a 58" flat panel, with 2 mil channels. I watch for a while, think the show's silly, and change my mind.

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Originally Posted by trotwood

Without getting into the who's right/who's wrong of this issue I applaud the Canadian effort.

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TW, what about this effort is laudable? They've done nothing. Bringing water jugs is nothing but symbolism. The same water is available at their local church.

I see this issue as a non-issue. It is simply a talking point -- and I don't agree with applauding talking points.

If you believe water should be free to everyone, that's a reasonable opinion. I don't agree. But in Detroit, we are indeed awash in good, cheap water. It would be a more difficult argument in, say, LA, Sacremento, or Phoenix. Giving away water there would be an environmental resource waste.

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Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

... I think this was brought up made up on the fireworks thread, it is amazing people can find money to buy all sorts of useless crap, but can't pay for a basic utility they need to live....

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There. Fixed that for ya. ;)

WM with due respect I believe my post was rather clear. I don't believe it requires me to explain what I find "laudable" about the effort.
P.S. There's no need for you to give accolades to this or any other gesture you don't agree with. I wasn't speaking for you nor attempting to change your view. This is my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

TW, what about this effort is laudable? They've done nothing. Bringing water jugs is nothing but symbolism. The same water is available at their local church.

I see this issue as a non-issue. It is simply a talking point -- and I don't agree with applauding talking points.

If you believe water should be free to everyone, that's a reasonable opinion. I don't agree. But in Detroit, we are indeed awash in good, cheap water. It would be a more difficult argument in, say, LA, Sacremento, or Phoenix. Giving away water there would be an environmental resource waste.

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Many variables, no doubt. Most rental duplex, quad and apartment dwellings do not receive separate water bill accounts for water bill, so customarily the landlord pays the bill adding the cost to the rent. Some of these dead-beats with multiple units must be hiding from their tenants and DWSD. Again more dissipation of Detroit housing as tenants move, leaving dwellings to be stripped and rot. At least the basements will not fill up with water.

This issue reminds me of the scene in DetroitYES Home » Detroit Connections » Fun Videos » Frank Herbert's Dune where Lady Jessica declares that House Atreides will no longer practice the demeaning custom of selling "squeezings" [[waste water) to Fremen at the door of the royal palace.

She says, "Give them back their money. Go on. This 'custom' stops now. Do as I said. Do as I said. Water will never again be sold at the Atreides door. At the end of every meal, any person who calls at this door may receive a full cup — free."

The scene is set up at 20:20 and culminates at 25:33 in Part 1 of 2.

For those residents getting their water shut off that live in a rental home. That water should remain on and the suburban slumlord who owns the property should instead have their water shut off until they pay that shit.

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Originally Posted by trotwood

WM with due respect I believe my post was rather clear. I don't believe it requires me to explain what I find "laudable" about the effort.
P.S. There's no need for you to give accolades to this or any other gesture you don't agree with. I wasn't speaking for you nor attempting to change your view. This is my opinion.

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Not to worry. Only a discussion. I like to learn how others think. It helps me form reasonable opinions.

You do not need to explain yourself, of course. Might help others share and understand -- or maybe help you enrich your opinion.

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Originally Posted by rex

For those residents getting their water shut off that live in a rental home. That water should remain on and the suburban slumlord who owns the property should instead have their water shut off until they pay that shit.

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Many landlords have it setup in the contract that the tenant is responsible for utilities including water, gas, and electricity.

In those cases, it's not suburban slumlords, but rather tenants not prioritizing spending correctly.

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Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Not to worry. Only a discussion. I like to learn how others think. It helps me form reasonable opinions.

You do not need to explain yourself, of course. Might help others share and understand -- or maybe help you enrich your opinion.

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Understood&agreed but as I said in the beginning I'm not willing to get into the 'who's right/who's wrong' in this situation.
My original statement/post was as involved as I care to get in this discussion on this topic.

It could be 'Detroit' slumlord or family member renting to their family member with their own water shut off! From what I am hearing some folks got a surprise of surprises! It had been going on for years [[the non or partial paying that is).

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Originally Posted by rex

For those residents getting their water shut off that live in a rental home. That water should remain on and the suburban slumlord who owns the property should instead have their water shut off until they pay that shit.

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Originally Posted by 48307

Many landlords have it setup in the contract that the tenant is responsible for utilities including water, gas, and electricity.

In those cases, it's not suburban slumlords, but rather tenants not prioritizing spending correctly.

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Of course it depends what's in your lease or rental agreement. However, DTE has gone after some landlords for unpaid accounts on their properties, going so far as to shutting off service to their private residences. I personally know someone who got this treatment from DTE.

Lowell makes a good point about water being tied to sewer. It is the only leverage the city has to get the sewer bill paid.

As to who pays in a rental, some cities have allowed the utility bill to go in the tenant's name WITH A LARGE SECURITY DEPOSIT. If the back utility bill reaches the amount of the deposit, the utility is shut off, no questions asked. This may be in violation of state law, though. In many states[[Washington for example) the utility bill is tied to the property, and a failure to pay results in a lean on the property. And, unfortunately a shut off for the tenant.

281 Pimps Mass Arrest, Detroit's Humanitarian Water Crisis & 5 Censored Books

The Detroit segment begins at 7:55.

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Originally Posted by Zacha341

Well actually I think cable is over-priced so that is why I don't even try to afford it. I've fully adapted to streamed TV now.

To the point: You know the dead-beat landlord is a factor here. Most of these two and four-family homes and other rental property in the D have one [[1) water bill going to one particular resident [[unit) that is to be paid by owner of property who chooses/ chose to ignore it, until -- well, until the day of reckoning: shut off.

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I agree about cable. We bought that box thing and sometimes it works and sometimes not. But heck there is always the local library,

We rented a flat in GPP. The landlord kept the original bill and sent copies for us to pay divided between the two. A single delightful man lived in the one unit, we were a family of four so every other month we would pay the full bill. The landlord who kept the original bill would write it off as a deduction and was out of pocket on nothing.

Yeah, I have wifi and between my converter and ROKU box I do ok OFF THE CABLE pay grid. Though I do wish Netflix offered more for streaming but ROKU has some decent stuff.

And yes I have have rented before and thank goodness my landlord was on top of paying the water bill and not falling behind.

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Originally Posted by sumas

I agree about cable. We bought that box thing and sometimes it works and sometimes not. But heck there is always the local library,

We rented a flat in GPP. The landlord kept the original bill and sent copies for us to pay divided between the two. A single delightful man lived in the one unit, we were a family of four so every other month we would pay the full bill. The landlord who kept the original bill would write it off as a deduction and was out of pocket on nothing.

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Originally Posted by Jimaz

This issue reminds me of the scene in DetroitYES Home » Detroit Connections » Fun Videos » Frank Herbert's Dune where Lady Jessica declares that House Atreides will no longer practice the demeaning custom of selling "squeezings" [[waste water) to Fremen at the door of the royal palace.

She says, "Give them back their money. Go on. This 'custom' stops now. Do as I said. Do as I said. Water will never again be sold at the Atreides door. At the end of every meal, any person who calls at this door may receive a full cup — free."

The scene is set up at 20:20 and culminates at 25:33 in Part 1 of 2.

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I would like to dedicate that post to Jjaba. I think he would approve.

A lot of the rental issues seem to stem from the renter or landlord not paying their bills. Either the renter gives the money to the landlord and the landlord pockets it - or the renter doesn't pay the bill directly and the landlord ends up with a lien on their property.

Couldn't this be solved rather simply by the water department sending two bills - one to the renter and one to the landlord? Then, whomever is supposed to pay can send their check in. If the renter or landlord are delinquent, it should be pretty obvious as the non-payment shows up on both bills.

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Originally Posted by Jimaz

FWIW, the poll at the end of the OP article is currently at:

Do you consider it a human rights violation to shut off water services to those whose bills are in arrears?

Yes 70.16% [[3,109 votes)

No 29.84% [[1,322 votes)

Let's watch how that changes as all the flying monkeys start doing their dirty deeds.

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Water is our natural birthright, not just a human right violation. We need water to live. Without it we just die.

Humans can find a way to get drinking water without using corporate services.

Let's say you live in the home with no running water or being homeless. Here are some steps that you get access to water to drink and bathe:

1. There are public drinking fountains found municipal centers, libraries and some big box stores.

2. To bathe yourself there are family restrooms in most public areas.

It's a pity that DPW have to shut-off water to poor folks in Detroit ghetto hoods. But by law that have to do it. You have to pay your bills on time just like other utilities. If you don't have the income, you don't pay, go into debt and file bankruptcy. Or seek help from your family, friends, church and other welfare service agencies. Everytime you use DPW services, you are using their pipes, sewage and treatment plants. Also, some educational services need to be taught to poor folks that saving water is not only good for the environment and it save money on your next bill.

When I was living in my Detroit home. My family were saving water by taking shorter showers, washing dishes and clothes less. Watering your lawn less. Let God water your lawn more. And having a water saving device like putting a brick in your toilet.

When some your poor Detroiters fix your income and set a budget plan, then you can pay your water bills. Otherwise wait for Conyers for your bailout.

Danny, I'm hearing you, and I am not defending DWDS on any level but there is a cost of treatment and sewarage and the remaining staff of folks working, running and maintaining the systems and what not that make water usuable, who in turn have their own water bills. Or w'ed all be down at the river front with a bucket for something less than fully drinkable. Or hand it off to the feds and have them tax us for the processing?

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Originally Posted by Danny

Water is our natural birthright, not just a human right violation. We need water to live. Without it we just die.

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You think Detroit water rates are high? At $21.71 per 1,000 cubic feet?

http://www.dwsd.org/downloads_n/cust...ater_rates.pdf

Try San Francisco rates for a single family residence:

http://www.sfwater.org/index.aspx?page=168

Compared to your $21.71 for 1,000 cubic feet.....

First 4 "units" = 4 ccf [[400 cubic feet) = 4 x $4.86 = $19.44
Next 6 "units" = 6 ccf [[600 cubic feet) = 6 x $6.52 = $39.12
$58.56

And that's just for the water, not the various other charges. The SF rates are increasing dramatically each of the next several years.

My current bill was for 20 days under the previous rates and 10 under the new ones. I used only 4 units; i.e. 400 cubic feet. My total bill was $60.00.

I think Detroiters must use one heck of a lot of water to get bills of $75 under your low low rates.

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Originally Posted by DetroiterOnTheWestCoast

...snip...My current bill was for 20 days under the previous rates and 10 under the new ones. I used only 4 units; i.e. 400 cubic feet. My total bill was $60.00.

I think Detroiters must use one heck of a lot of water to get bills of $75 under your low low rates.

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I pay about $40/mo in Hamtramck for normal family usage. I think that's quite reasonable.

I would gladly pay an additional $2.00 a month to provide central water dispensers to the rare person who truly can't express their natural right to seize the water of others for their use.

Canadians rarely miss an opportunity to act holier-than-Americans.

Look at their treatment of the aboriginal people and they've got a past as checkered as ours, as everyone's. Why can't they just mind their own goddamned business?

My water source is Lake Mead. It's down 110 feet; its lowest level since 1937 when it started filling after completion of Hoover Dam [[okay, Boulder Dam for you Democrats). If you're sending water, send some out this way, will ya??? :cool:

Greet the water bearers from Canada.

http://detroityes.com/webisodes/2014/water-convoy.jpg

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Originally Posted by Lowell

Greet the water bearers from Canada.

http://detroityes.com/webisodes/2014/water-convoy.jpg

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I think we should turn the tide against gouging taxpayers.

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Originally Posted by Ray1936

My water source is Lake Mead. It's down 110 feet; its lowest level since 1937 when it started filling after completion of Hoover Dam [[okay, Boulder Dam for you Democrats). If you're sending water, send some out this way, will ya??? :cool:

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You know, there's a lot of truth in what you say. There are hundreds of aboriginal communities in Canada with low grade or non-existent water supply.

. The goodie-two-shoesness vis à vis the US is a pretty convenient diversion even if it comes from a good place. What irks me about the water problem in Detroit is that it is the last of many straws in the saga of socio-economic despondency. When I was young in the sixteen hundreds, the Spaniards [[guys and dolls) spent so much money on the silly frilly lace collars imported from the low countries that they bankrupted Spain. The more things stay the same, the more things change.

Perhaps instead of grandstanding, they can pitch in and actually help pay some of the bills? There is now a website that facilitates that.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/07/...ater-shutoffs/

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Originally Posted by canuck

You know, there's a lot of truth in what you say. There are hundreds of aboriginal communities in Canada with low grade or non-existent water supply.

. The goodie-two-shoesness vis à vis the US is a pretty convenient diversion even if it comes from a good place. What irks me about the water problem in Detroit is that it is the last of many straws in the saga of socio-economic despondency. When I was young in the sixteen hundreds, the Spaniards [[guys and dolls) spent so much money on the silly frilly lace collars imported from the low countries that they bankrupted Spain. The more things stay the same, the more things change.

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WOW, 22" frilly lace collars. I read when they stopped to talk to someone, the collars kept spinning. Are you going to be there passing out bottles of water tonight, canuck?

I wish. My excuse is I'm not from Windsor. I bought an old house [[1875) in Montreal in January and the plumbing was entirely redone except for the leadpipe from the house to the street. I consequently have to filter drinking water with a Brita jug. I had too many expenses to rip up the damned sidewalk, etc.I can now indulge in a coupla brewskis knowing that it is a question of life and death.

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Originally Posted by DetroiterOnTheWestCoast

Perhaps instead of grandstanding, they can pitch in and actually help pay some of the bills? There is now a website that facilitates that.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/07/...ater-shutoffs/

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You know, DOTWC, this has nothing to do with actually helping people. This is a fight against privatization.

And I agree with them, in principle. Water Boards should not be privately run. But like Charter Schools, they are indeed the worst solution -- except for the current broken system which is worse.

Privatization stinks. Almost as much as our current DWSD, but not quite as badly.

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Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

You know, DOTWC, this has nothing to do with actually helping people. This is a fight against privatization.

And I agree with them, in principle. Water Boards should not be privately run. But like Charter Schools, they are indeed the worst solution -- except for the current broken system which is worse.

Privatization stinks. Almost as much as our current DWSD, but not quite as badly.

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The water shut offs have nothing to do with privatization. This is a direct result of the breakdown in negotiations with the suburbs to create a regional water authority.

One of the main sticking points in the negotiations is the abysmal DWSD collection rates in the city.

Negotiations with the suburbs broke off in March, and on April 3rd, the the Oakland County Board of Commissioners' finance committee voted unanimously to create a $3 million fund to study developing an independent water and sewer entity.

“Everybody in the north rim of the system is already leaving,” including Flint and its suburbs in Genesee County and the city of Lapeer in Lapeer County, which are building their own water-treatment facilities, said Dennis Green of Farmington Hills, retired head water systems engineer for the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department. “The dominoes are falling, one by one. The real problem is that half of the people in the city of Detroit aren’t paying their bills, and that’s forcing rates up for everybody else,” Green said. An analysis released last year by Detroit bankruptcy officials showed a non-collectionratehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png of nearly 50% for DWSD customers within the city of Detroit, and it showed that customers in Highland Park at that time owed nearly $20 million in unpaid bills to the system.
http://www.freep.com/article/20140624/NEWS02/306240025/grosse-pointe-park-water-system

If DWSD doesn't find a way to increase collection rates in the city, there is a real possibility that a very large percentage of DWSD customers will build their own water systems, and leave DWSD completely unable to sustain itself.

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Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

You know, DOTWC, this has nothing to do with actually helping people. This is a fight against privatization....

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Oops. I don't think you're supposed to even mention the "p" word. Did you clear that with your higher-ups?