STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Activists Call on UN to Aid Detroit's Water Crisis

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is shutting off water to more than 150,000 people.

A coalition of welfare rights groups and activists are appealing to the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights to help Detroiters whose water service has been shut off due to unpaid bills. The controversial move was announced in March to help the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department tackle its $5 billion debt.

“Sick people have been left without running water and working toilets,” states the report filed by the coalition this week. “People recovering from surgery cannot wash and change bandages. Children cannot bathe and parents cannot cook.”

According to the Detroit Free Press, nearly half of Detroit residents — more than 150,000 people — who use the utility are delinquent and, combined with commercial customers, owe a total of $118 million. The bankrupt city’s average monthly water bill is almost double the national average of $40. Last week, the Detroit City Council voted to raise water rates by an additional 8.7 percent.

“It would be more just and efficient for the DWSD to spend its resources collecting unpaid bills from commercial and industrial users than depriving households of basic services,” the report states.

The department rejected accusations of delinquent business entities receiving a special pass.

“There are no sacred cows. We aren’t discriminating in terms of individuals or businesses,” DWSD spokesman Bill Johnson reportedly said in an interview. “Last month we shut off about 3,600 accounts, both businesses and residential. Everybody is getting cut off who is $150 or 60 days in arrears. That is our policy and we’re ramping up our enforcement of that policy.”

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Mary J. BligeMaxwellJill ScottA$AP RockyRick Rossand many more. Click here for more details and info on how to purchase tickets.

(Photo: J.D. Pooley/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.