DETROIT (AP) - A regional board has approved terms of a program that will cover a third of the average monthly bill for low-income customers of Detroit's water system.

The $4.6 million Water Residential Assistance Program also will freeze overdue amounts, the Detroit News reported.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown says the average monthly bill in Detroit is $75, while the average amount in arrears is $663.

The terms were approved Wednesday by the Great Lakes Water Authority board which represents the city, surrounding counties and the state.

Detroit's water system serves about 700,000 city residents and 4 million people in southeastern Michigan.

The water department faced protests in 2014 following shutoffs of delinquent accounts.

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