Residents Using Less Water, Department Wants Rate Hike

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit water rates are on the rise.

The Detroit Water and Sewage department has seen a drop in usage and officials say consequently revenues are down.

Director, Sue McCormick says the proposed hike will be modest and every customer community will not see the same rate.
She says the department has trimmed costs significantly over the last 3 years including cutting staff by 850.

"In addtion to that, we've really focused on procument and where we can get efficiences in procument - we've had chemical cost reductions ..."

Although the rate hike seems likely, there will be three public hearings February 25, March 4 and March 11 so residents can address concerns.

The board has between now and when they will take action. "There are really three opportunities for public hearings," said McCormick. "And those are on the schedule that they announced."
Details are still be worked out for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) between Detroit, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The GLWA will eventually take control of the water department.