Report: Half Of Pumps Didn't Work During Detroit Rainstorms

DETROIT (AP) - An investigation into sewage backups in Detroit this summer has found that less than half of the pumps meant to keep the water at bay were operating.

The Detroit News reports the investigation commissioned by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department cites a "lack of available pumps" during the July and August rain storms that damaged hundreds of homes in several neighborhoods.

Department director Gary Brown says he isn't surprised with the report, which notes that the system's inadequacies affected the number of basements that had back-ups. He says the department will settle as much of the $11 million in damage claims from about 800 customers that it can.

Brown says he's not letting a dispute between the department and the regional water authority hold up the settlements. The claims are currently being paid by the department.

 
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)