A Detroit special panel is addressing the thorny issue of massive water shut offs for nonpayment. A blue ribbon panel is discussing if rates can be structured for the needy, without raising water costs for everyone else. So far, the answer appears to be no. Detroit Water and Sewer CFO Marcus Hudson says no matter what rate they design, someone’s going to get hurt. About 23,000 accounts were turned off for non-payment and city officials say about a third of Detroit’s 200,000 water customers are at least 60 days past due. The panel is working on a report for the city council to review and discuss next month.
