DWSD’s Statement in Response to Class Action Lawsuit Regarding Water Shutoffs

2020

It is hard to understand how this lawsuit has any relevance today. Since Mayor Mike Duggan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the $25 restoration program four months ago on March 9th, water shutoffs have come to a halt.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) representatives have gone door-to-door to 9,000 addresses in Detroit to make sure water is available to every occupied home. Not only was water restored in each case it was requested, but in 400 cases DWSD paid for necessary plumbing repairs so that service could be supplied.

The program has been so successful, those suing today could not find a single plaintiff in Detroit living without water service and, in fact, the plaintiffs benefited from current programs. Since 2014, the City of Detroit and its partners have distributed $20.3 million to Detroiters for water assistance programs and another $2.7 million dollars is currently available.

Mayor Duggan recently announced the formation of the Community Health Corps (CHC) under the direction of Deputy Mayor Conrad Mallett to create a permanent team of outreach workers who will visit the homes of lower income Detroit residents, like the plaintiffs in this case, and make sure they have housing, water security and access to employment opportunities. A central goal of the Community Health Corps is to make sure that no Detroit resident is lacking water service due to their inability to pay.

The State of Michigan has been equally committed to this goal. The Governor recently signed into law Public Act 101 which appropriates $25 million for assistance for residents paying water bills and the Governor has extended the water shutoff moratorium until the end of 2020. DWSD intends to apply for the maximum amount of dollars available under the Act to distribute to our residents in need.

It is DWSD’s belief that water has been restored to every occupied house in Detroit that has responded to DWSD’s four-month outreach. If there is any household still without water, please call our partners at Wayne Metro at 313-386-9727.

Statement can be attributed to Gary Brown, director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

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