Title
The Board of Water Commissioner for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department approves the amended City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's Lifeline (H2O) Policy for Water Affordability and authorizes the Director to take such action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
Body
Agenda of September 17, 2025
Item No. 2025-209
Amount: $0.00
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Lifeline H2O policy
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Service Officer, Matthew Phillips, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department hereby approves amendments to the Lifeline (H2O) Plan for Water Affordability; and authorizes the Director to take all such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
JUSTIFICATION
DWSD must update the Lifeline Policy to reflect changes regarding reduced water affordability funding, thus necessitating changes to the fixed bill amount of Lifeline H2O participants. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Lifeline Plan shall be known as Lifeline H2O to incorporate the changes.
DWSD acknowledges there are residents in our community who are unable to pay their full water, sewerage and drainage charge bill because their household income is below certain poverty indicators. Service interruptions are not a viable collection tool for these low-income customers. Non-Residential customers and residential customers with the ability to pay are still subject to a service interruption for non-payment.
BACKGROUND
These revisions are intended to maximize the funding sources available and to serve as many Lifeline applicants in good standing as possible.
Water affordability experts and advocates have long recommended that the cost of water and sewerage services be based on household income to ensure equitable access. D...
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