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Detroit residents press council over drainage fees as DWSD outlines new Lifeline H2O program
Summary
Residents at public comment urged the council to halt property seizure proceedings tied to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) drainage fee and asked for relief; DWSD/Hydrate Detroit said it will replace the Lifeline plan with a Lifeline H2O program ($34/month) for about 8,000 customers, with arrears handled through EasyPay.
Hundreds of Detroit residents used the council’s public‑comment period to press for immediate relief from the city’s drainage fee and to urge the council to prevent property seizures tied to unpaid water charges.
"This dismissal of the lawsuit now clears the way for Mayor Duggan and Conrad Mallett to potentially begin to work seizing the property of those who are behind on their water bills," Veronica Smith told the council, referring to a recent Michigan Supreme Court action. She urged the council to "ask general counsel Mallard not to begin any property procedures at this time."
Other callers described steep increases in combined bills since the drainage fee…
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