DETROIT (WWJ) – It’s a basic human right: water. But could the United Nations soon help the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department provide the service to struggling customers?
Water department spokeswoman Curtrise Garner says it’s a possibility — but for now, the water bills must be paid.
“We do have programs that do help those that are just totally in need; can’t afford it — but we also know that there are also people who can’t afford it would can not pay and we know this because, once we shut water off, the next day they are in paying the bill in full. So we do know that that has become a habit as well,” said Garner.
“At the DWAS Department — it’s not our goal to shut off water. We want people’s water on, just like they do; but you do have to pay for your water…That’s the bottom line.”
Garner said the reality is that nearly half of Detroit Water and Sewerage customers can’t pay their bills; and that has led activists to lobby the UN to step up and take action.
“If they do contact us we are willing to speak with them,” she said, adding “We owe it to the customers that are paying to collect from those that aren’t. Somebody has to pay for the water.”
And while Garner says water is “a God-given right,” she says there is a cost to move water from the water resource to the customer and that the infrastructure costs money.
According to the Free Press, the average Detroit water bill is now $75 a month — much higher than the nation’s average rate of about $40.
So, what’s the solution?
WWJ Newsradio 950 listeners have been sounding off on Facebook.
Posted Kathy Ward, “This is just insane. If someone is that destitute that they truly cannot afford their water bill, there are already welfare programs in place for that. I’m guessing those same people not paying their water also have a TV, cable, I-phone, etc. People need to get their priorities straight, not expect another government handout.”
Wrote Rodney Carter, “Call President Obama he has plenty of taxpayers cash to spend. Wasn’t that a campaign promise he made along with free rent and gas and payin’ my car note…Socialism only works if there is someone to pay for it.”
Calvin Adkins added, “If there are programs available to help these families, I am all for it. God has blessed me with ability to pay my bills so being hateful towards those who aren’t able is just not in me. Yes, there are able bodies out there abusing the system. And those individuals should be sought out. But before we go after those people, how about we go after the real welfare abusers. The elected officials, oil companies, insurance companies, banks, Wall Street. Because those abusers are the biggest beneficiaries of our hard work and tax dollars. Stop kicking those who are already down.” (The class envy is strong in this one.)
Doesn't a river separate them from Windsor, Ontario? Sounds like they need to form a bucket brigade. And who truly cannot afford water? Even with all the showering, laundry, etc, the administrative fee is almost always more than the actual water consumption on my monthly bill. I can't even remember it ever being more than about $12 a month.
Doesn't a river separate them from Windsor, Ontario? Sounds like they need to form a bucket brigade. And who truly cannot afford water? Even with all the showering, laundry, etc, the administrative fee is almost always more than the actual water consumption on my monthly bill. I can't even remember it ever being more than about $12 a month.
According to the Free Press, the average Detroit water bill is now $75 a month — much higher than the nation’s average rate of about $40.
$75 a month? That is straight up ridiculous. Guess those pensions for the water and sewer people aren't free.
Doesn't a river separate them from Windsor, Ontario? Sounds like they need to form a bucket brigade. And who truly cannot afford water? Even with all the showering, laundry, etc, the administrative fee is almost always more than the actual water consumption on my monthly bill. I can't even remember it ever being more than about $12 a month.QuoteAccording to the Free Press, the average Detroit water bill is now $75 a month — much higher than the nation’s average rate of about $40.
Because it's DETROIT.
... So far Detroit is the only city that's been appeased away in its entirety, but many are on the brink.
Most cities exist because they exist, the conditions justifying them having come and gone. Were they settled more recently they'd be small cities or no cities at all, perhaps transportation interchanges with some support facilities and a bar. As it is, we have "poverty industry" settling tanks—East St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Trenton, Newark, Camden, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York City, Gary, Cleveland, Flint and Buffalo come to mind—tumors nourished by unwilling outsiders, accidental museums, crumbling and moldering menaces, hollowed out vestiges awaiting the final implosion into whatever self-sustaining core may endure.
When the crisis arrives they'll cave not merely because they're dependent on intravenous feeding, all cities are, but because they do so little anyone else is willing to pay for. The productive were driven out long ago, onerous penalties and professional jeerleaders keep them away. As for the resident underclass, watching them try to form a coherent thought tells us all we need to know about their viability. This is why cities will collapse with blinding speed, they're almost entirely overburden[ed] with nearly nothing native to support it. We can safely think of them as pre-collapsed.
Right now, the government won't permit that, but the day is coming when the "appeasement money" will disappear upon which time the FSA will promptly burn their sh*t to the ground in outrage.
Right now, the government won't permit that, but the day is coming when the "appeasement money" will disappear upon which time the FSA will promptly burn their sh*t to the ground in outrage.
Since we've already witness such acts, I've always wondered how they consider that productive.
Right now, the government won't permit that, but the day is coming when the "appeasement money" will disappear upon which time the FSA will promptly burn their sh*t to the ground in outrage.
Since we've already witness such acts, I've always wondered how they consider that productive.
Right now, the government won't permit that, but the day is coming when the "appeasement money" will disappear upon which time the FSA will promptly burn their sh*t to the ground in outrage.
Since we've already witness such acts, I've always wondered how they consider that productive.
That assumes they ever "consider" or grok "productive".
"It's frightening, because you think this is something that only happens somewhere like Africa." Quote from Single Black Mother Whose Water is Being Turned Off for Non(e) sic Payment in 83% black Detroit.
... The conditions of Detroit, an 83 percent black city, has the exact same quality of life as that found in African nations.
(http://patdollard.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/la-apphoto-detroit-water-shutoffs2-jpg-20140628.jpg)
... One of the experts, Leilani Farha, who focuses on the right to adequate housing, also pointed out the racial implications of shutting off water to the nearly 83 percent black population. “If these water disconnections disproportionately affect African Americans, they may be discriminatory, in violation of treaties the U.S. has ratified,” said Farha.
(http://pics.mcclatchyinteractive.com/wire_photos/ppzaxy/picture618588/alternates/FREE_960/243Detroit%20Water%20Shutoffs.JPEG)
A hunk a hunk a hunk a burnin', er, something anyway.
Certainly the perfect poster woman for this story.
(http://pics.mcclatchyinteractive.com/wire_photos/ppzaxy/picture618588/alternates/FREE_960/243Detroit%20Water%20Shutoffs.JPEG)
A hunk a hunk a hunk a burnin', er, something anyway.
Certainly the perfect poster woman for this story.
Sun's out...gun's out.
Seriously, this woman needs water. I'd say it would take at least 10 gallons just for a sponge bath.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-7-1-2-in-x-5-1-2-in-x-2-in-Extra-Large-Grouting-Cleaning-and-Washing-Sponge-70005Q-144/100173109 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-7-1-2-in-x-5-1-2-in-x-2-in-Extra-Large-Grouting-Cleaning-and-Washing-Sponge-70005Q-144/100173109)
Cause somewhere, hidden in the giant crevices......is a groutlike material.
Only in America can you be "poor and downtrodden" and suffer the ill effects of having too much to eat.