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?