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Advocates tell committee Detroit saw about 900 water shutoffs in December; urge local water‑affordability ordinance
Summary
An advocate told the committee the city's water department shut off service for about 900 residents in December (about half later restored) and urged council members to champion a local water-affordability ordinance, citing pending state bills she referenced as House Bill 4,555 and 5,170–5,173.
Cecily McCullough, director with We the People of Detroit’s Water Works, told the Neighborhood Community Service Standing Committee that the city’s water department shut off service for roughly 900 residents in December and that about half of those households had their water restored.
McCullough urged council members — specifically naming Coleman, Vincent and newly seated member Miller — to champion a local water-affordability ordinance so that access to water would be codified locally. She also referenced state proposals she said were pending in Lansing and cited them in the meeting as "House Bill 4,555" and "5,170 to 5,173."
McCullough said the organizing group supports clean, safe and affordable water ‘‘for all residents’’ and emphasized that she and other advocates would like the city to create a program codified by ordinance. She also echoed other public callers’ requests for more neighborhood community resource centers and recreation facilities.
The committee did not vote on any ordinance at the meeting. McCullough asked city council members to meet with advocates to discuss next steps toward a local affordability program.
