Detroit Evening Report: Detroit announces new plan to help residents pay overdue water bills

The city of Detroit has created a new payment program for those behind on their water bill. 

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The “EasyPay” program is an interest and penalty free program without income requirements. It replaces the 10/30/50 program previously offered by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department .

Residents can enroll by paying a $10 deposit and a portion of their overdue bills on top of their regular bills over the course of 36 months. Once enrolled by phone or online, the customer has up to 10 days to make the deposit.

Demeeko Williams, director of Hydrate Detroit – a nonprofit that advocates for Detroiters experiencing water shutoffs – praised the city’s EasyPay program.

“This is a great program. It’s instrumental in making sure that if you do have any problems with paying your water bill, you can get assistance, you can get help,” said Williams.

The city of Detroit plans to have 30,000 people on the program by October. To enroll, visit detroitmi.gov/easypaywater.

Other headlines for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024:

• The state is looking for residents to participate in the Michigan Racial Health Equity Think Tank.
• A new study by the state’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has found that Michigan is able to fund a paid family and medical leave program. 
• The Detroit Public Theatre is hosting a performance of alumni of the Shakespeare in Prison program Aug. 17-18. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.