Customers who don’t pay their water bills facing shutoffs in Inkster

Inkster residents who have simply refused to pay their delinquent water bills, even a small fraction of what they owe, are now going to pay the price: no more water.

The city began turning off the spigot to these delinquent customers on March 20, two days after the shutoff plans were discussed at a meeting of the Inkster City Council. The Downriver city has nearly 300 commercial customers and more than 8,000 residential customers, said Jerome Bivins, director of the Department of Public Services.

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Bivins said he did not immediately have the number of customers facing a shutoff. He said that when they get their statement, customers are warned that they will be shut off once their bill is more than 30 days delinquent.

Councilmember DeArtriss Richardson said the number of shutoffs was not provided during the council meeting, only that a “large number” of customers would be affected.

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Richardson said the city urged delinquent customers to make even a partial payment or get help from a local social services agency to avoid a shutoff. Those who are losing their water, she said, “didn’t even attempt to make a payment, not even a little bit.”

Richardson said that while she can empathize with residents who can’t afford their water bills, the city is facing a deficit “and we can’t just keep paying” the bills of delinquent customers.

“These are people who gave me no options,” Bivins said.

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Help is available through the Great Lakes Water Authority to residents of Inkster and dozens of communities that get their water wholesale from the authority.

WRAP, or Water Residential Assistance Program, helps eligible low-income households pay past-due balances and water and sewer service bills for up to two years. Eligible seniors and permanently disabled customers can get help without an expiration date.

WRAP can also help with conservation measures and minor plumbing repairs.

Help is available through these agencies: Wayne Metro Community Action Agency for residents of Wayne, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties; Macomb Community Action for residents of Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties; and United Way for Southeastern Michigan for residents of Oakland County.

Contact Jennifer Dixon: jbdixon@freepress.com

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