Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended a moratorium on water service shutoffs for non-payment through the end of the year.
Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta reports.
The new executive order continues earlier protections against water shutoffs for non-payment. It also requires publicly owned water suppliers to try and find customers who’ve had their service stopped. Service has to be restored unless reconnecting to damaged pipes would cause a threat to public health or safety.
In a statement, Whitmer said the need water for drinking water and for sanitation is particularly acute during the COVID-19 crisis.
The order also requires public water utilities to try to find customers who’ve lost service for non-payment. It says service must be restored unless there’s damage to pipes or infrastructure that would create a health risk.
The current state budget has 25 (m) million dollars set aside to reimburse utilities for unpaid water bills. The governor is also pressing the federal government to provide help to pay water bills.