Detroit is committing to ending its water shut-off policy. The city will NOT stop water service for residents for the next two years.
Detroit’s water shut off policy was first put-on hold in March at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The city received millions of dollars in funding to restore service for residents left without running water.
Mayor Mike Duggan says he’s spoken to President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team about future federal intervention.
“There’s clearly an intent by the new president to have a national infrastructure plan," said Duggan. "I think you’re going to see water be a part of that.”
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is helping build a coalition to make that a political reality. The city’s former public health director says water support could be funded like the national Low Income Heating Assistance Program.
“There are a number of different ways to be thinking about this problem," El-Sayed says. "Some of those are federal, some of those are state, some of those may be local.”
Detroit officials are hoping to have a permanent solution ready by the end of 2022.