Water Affordability in Detroit: An Activist Convergence

Detroit water shut-offs are in the news again.  On May 5, the city announced that 20,000 – 25,000 delinquent accounts would be receiving shut-off notices by May 11, giving the customers a 10 day window to get assistance or make a payment.  At the same time, the Detroit City Council took steps to start consideration of an affordability plan that would take income into account in determining water rates.  The Detroit Water Brigade and other local advocacy groups have long urged the development of such a plan.  In fact, a water affordability plan for Detroit was developed in 2005, but never implemented.

Activism on this issue continues to gain momentum.  Food & Water Watch is sponsoring an on-line petition to the Mayor and City Council supporting an affordability plan.  And in a few weeks, on May 29-31, the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and other local activists will convene an International Gathering of Social Movements on Water and Affordable Housing in Detroit.  Among other things, the activist gathering will consider federal water affordability legislation. 

First things first, though — the social movement gathering will provide an important opportunity to keep the pressure on local politicians to move quickly and positively to develop and implement an affordability plan to alleviate the suffering in Detroit.