Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press council on high water bills as city prepares $6.1M meter replacement
Summary
A resident told the Feb. 3 Inkster council she pays more for water than property tax; city officials attributed high bills to an estimated 35–40% water loss from aging infrastructure and said a $6.1 million meter and reading‑system replacement contract has been executed with work and town halls planned.
"I pay more in water than I do in property tax," resident Catherine Wright told the council during public comment on Feb. 3, asking why Inkster’s water rates appear higher than neighboring communities.
Mayor Brian Nolan and staff responded that high customer bills are driven primarily by high water loss from aging infrastructure — described in the meeting as approximately 35–40% of treated water — and that the city has signed a contract to replace meters and upgrade the reading system. The treasurer told the meeting the system cost is $6,100,000 and that town hall outreach about the replacement and the reading system is planned; meter replacement work was described as starting in April.
City officials said the meter replacement is intended to reduce lost water, stabilize billing and improve meter accuracy; they cautioned that rates are unlikely to drop immediately but should stabilize once losses fall. A town hall and a State of the City presentation were noted as upcoming opportunities for residents to get details and ask questions.
What residents said Catherine Wright, a homeowner, said she pays more for water than for property taxes and cited figures for per‑unit charges and cubic volumes. She asked why Inkster’s rates were so high compared with nearby jurisdictions.
What the city said Mayor Nolan (responding on behalf of the administration in the public record) explained that the primary driver of elevated rates is water loss from old infrastructure and that the city is replacing meters and the entire reading system to address those losses. The treasurer confirmed the contract has been executed and reminded residents of tax deadlines and upcoming outreach.
Next steps The city plans public outreach (town halls) and meter replacement work estimated to begin in spring. Councilmember(s) announced a March 1 community forum to help residents with water bills; the State of the City presentation later in the week will also include additional information.
