Detroit tells judge: We can’t give away water

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit’s water department is defending its policy of cutting off service to people with unpaid bills. It says continuing to provide free service to those households could be “very devastating” to the department’s budget.

An attorney for the water department told a judge today that “humanitarian concerns are very compelling,” but that so is fairness.

After thousands of shutoffs earlier this year, there were protests and appeals — including one to the United Nations.

The judge hearing the city’s bankruptcy trial set aside that case today to hear evidence in the water controversy. A coalition representing low-income residents is asking the judge to suspend water shutoffs, and to restore service to people who have lost it.

The attorney for the water department said it would be violating state law, and breaking agreements with bondholders, if it’s forced to supply water and ignore bills that are overdue.

An economist who testified on behalf of critics of the water shutoff policy said a consumer’s income should be a factor in how the city regularly collects water bills.

The hearing will end tomorrow after testimony from water department officials and closing arguments.

%@AP Links

169-a-12-(Pastor Ray Anderson, speaking with megaphone, at Detroit water rally)-“use the bathroom!”-Pastor Ray Anderson protests the shut-offs of water to Detroit families who’ve been unable to pay their bills. (22 Sep 2014)

<

170-r-08-(Justin Wedes (WEED’-uhs), co-founder, Detroit Water Brigade, at Detroit water rally)–Detroit Water Brigade co-founder Justin Wedes, with about a dozen protesters, leads a chant outside a courthouse where a federal judge is hearing arguments for and against shutting off water to residents with unpaid bills. (22 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO MICO101: Demeeko Williams, left, of the Detroit Water Brigade talks into a megaphone during a rally outside federal courthouse in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. A hearing was held about a lawsuit that seeks to block the Detroit from shutting off water to customers for unpaid bills. Judge Steven Rhodes set aside Detroit’s bankruptcy trial to hear evidence in a controversy that has been boiling all summer. A coalition representing low-income residents is asking him to suspend water shutoffs and restore service to people who have lost it. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (22 Sep 2014)

<

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up