The Lifeline Plan

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The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) developed a new income-based water affordability plan – The Lifeline Plan. Your bill may be as low as $18 per month under the new program and your water debt will be erased as soon as you enroll!

DWSD has developed this water affordability program to keep everyone’s rates low. This is also why water conservation is built into the program. Once you’re enrolled in the DWSD Lifeline Plan and water debt is erased, please pay your income-based monthly bill in order to continue this program.

For additional information visit:
DWSD Lifeline Plan Outreach and Resources.

What’s required for eligibility and enrollment?

  • Your residential DWSD water bill must be in your name.
  • Apply through Wayne Metro at waynemetro.org/DWSDlifeline or call 313-386-9727.
  • Household member who is responsible for the water account needs a photo ID, Social Security Number and proof of household income for the last 30 days to determine payment tier. 

What is the DWSD Lifeline Plan?

Developed in partnership with community advocates and water affordability experts, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Lifeline Plan is an income-based water affordability program. It offers qualifying customers a low, fixed monthly bill and erases past debt.

What are the benefits of the DWSD Lifeline Plan?

You start fresh with a zero balance -- your DWSD past due amount is erased upon enrollment.

Then, you receive the following benefits when you pay your monthly Lifeline Plan bill:

  • Affordable fixed bill based on household income and number of household members;
  • Get up to 1,125 gallons of indoor water usage per household member per month; 
  • Shutoff protection while on the plan and as long as you pay your monthly bill; and
  • If qualified and as long as funding is available, you get a free water audit and minor plumbing repairs to fix leaks and inefficient equipment which saves you money.

 

 

TIER 1
135% FPL*

*Federal poverty level

You Pay Monthly

$18

For water, sewer & drainage
if your income is:

Number of People
Living in the Household		 Maximum Annual
Household Income
1 $20,331
2 $27,594
3 $34,857
4 $42,120
5 $49,383
6 $56,646
7 $63,909
8 $71,172
TIER 2
136% - 150% FPL*

*Federal poverty level

You Pay Monthly

$43

For water, sewer & drainage
if your income is:

Number of People
Living in the Household		 Maximum Annual
Household Income
1 $22,590
2 $30,660
3 $38,730
4 $46,800
5 $54,870
6 $62,940
7 $71,010
8 $79,080
TIER 3
151% -200% FPL*

*Federal poverty level

You Pay Monthly

$56

For water, sewer & drainage
if your income is:

Number of People
Living in the Household		 Maximum Annual
Household Income
1 $30,120
2 $40,880
3 $51,640
4 $62,400
5 $73,160
6 $83,920
7 $94,680
8 $105,440

The above Federal Poverty Level thresholds are based on the January 2024 Update

 

 

 

The Lifeline Plan Dashboard (as of December 18, 2024)

Nearly 90,000 Detroiters benefiting from the Lifeline Plan

 

13,834 households
Enrolled and receiving Lifeline Plan benefits
29,928 eligible households
Applied for Lifeline
5,675 applications
Pending Approval
10,419 households
Recertification Applications Pending Approval
N/A households
FY2025 Recertifications Approved for Lifeline Benefit
N/A households
FY2025 Receiving Lifeline Benefits
N/A households
Received Lifeline Benefits FY2024
$67.1 Million
Total Funding Utilized
$47.0 Million
Used to Erase Bill Debt
$20.1 Million
Monthly Gap Payments
12,024** households
Enrolled in Tier 1 ($18 bill)
576* households
Enrolled in Tier 2 ($43 bill)
1,234** households
Enrolled in Tier 3 ($56 bill)

**Eligible for Lifeline Plan Tier may not include those who have not established an account with DWSD in their name; have since moved to another city; or now have an inactive account.
FY - Fiscal year is October 1 - September 30