Water shutoffs and rising rates continue to be problem for Detroiters.
Charlie Ramirez of the Detroit News reports that Detroit activists are pushing for an income-based water affordability plan like a system being considered in Philadelphia. The legislation for the Philly plans is waiting for the mayor's signature.
The News reports that the city estimates about 20,000 to 25,000 residential accounts are delinquent, and that more than 29,000 water department customers are on payment plans.
Under an affordability plan, rates would be capped for lower-income customers below bills charged to others.
The News reports:
Supporters say such a system would protect poorer customers from losing water service and could even boost revenue for the water department because residents who now pay nothing would at least pay something.
“It would help alleviate some of the problems many Detroiters are facing,” said DeMeeko Williams, political director of the Detroit Water Brigade, a volunteer group that helps families facing water shutoffs. “Most people want to pay their bills, but they can’t pay them when they’re $3,000 or more.”
There are some legal obstacles.
Eric Rothstein, a Chicago-based consultant for the Detroit Water and Sewage Department, tells the News:
“An affordability plan where someone pays for services based on what they can afford to pay when other people pay more for the same level of service is unconstitutional,” said Rothstein, a principal with the Galardi Rothstein Group.
“Michigan’s Supreme Court has ruled charging some utility customers one rate while others paid more constituted a tax on the group paying more.”
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