Detroit at $750 an Impervious Acre, How to Figure Out Your Monthly Water Rate

By Richard C. Clement

Debugging the new water rates in the City of Detroit takes a definition of what Impervious Surfaces are. Wikipedia defines it as:

“Impervious surfaces are areas of the earth that have been covered by any material that impedes the infiltration of water into the soil. Areas of land covered by pavement or buildings are impervious to rain water. Concrete, asphalt, rooftops and even severely compacted areas of soil are considered impervious.”

Lake St. Clair

Unlocking the mystery of how much my new monthly water bill is can be solved by clicking this website link   www.detroitmi.gov/drainage  to access the City of Detroit Website article under impervious acers.  When you get there, enter your property address.  When your property is found, wait 10 seconds and double click on the picture inside the property line..  To calculate your new monthly water rate, multiply the impervious surface acre percentage times $750. The answer will equal you monthly rate.  If you are disputing the calculated amount, then you are encouraged to click here to fill out your drainage survey form and send it in to DWSD.

Direct Website Link to Impervious Acre Percent Map for Detroit

Eventually. a large combined sewer separation project will have to be undertaken like other cities have done in Michigan (Lansing Michigan Combined Sewer Separation Project) because of climate change in our world.

We hope this helps clear the confusion on the new rates.

Restoring the Revenue: 2015 Detroit Fire Department Equipment Upgrade proposal.

By Richard Clement

"Improving Service with technology"

Obsolete "Code-Red" Laptop

Plans to upgrade Fire Department trucks will include the installation of flat screen monitors that will display information regarding the location of the fire with a backup printing system with streamlined information.  Currently firefighters have to rely on a message system that contains a tower and a printer that produces a run sheet. According to various Detroit Firefighters, the font size is hard to read at 4am, it has too much information and, important data is hard to find on the printout. The flat screen monitors would replace a non-functioning and costly Code Red system that was purchased from an outside vendor.  

Information on the screen will give firefighters directions and, other information pertinent to the issue at hand. 

Closed Laptop on Rig

The recommendation from the President Pro-Tem’s Firefighter task force is to, de-install the old equipment, place old equipment on a cart for donation, and replace with touch screen, flat screen monitors. If we can put flat screen monitors on motorcycles and, have smartphones that can display massive amounts of content,  then we can place touch screen monitors in the fire trucks and give better information at the same time. When the city gets from under the cloak of bankruptcy, this will be a priority project for improved safety and service to firefighters and the Citizens of Detroit. 

Water Access Volunteer Effort (WAVE) Fund Assistance

The Water Access Volunteer Effort (WAVE) Fund provides assistance to low-income families during a crisis by ensuring uninterrupted access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. Since established, WAVE has assisted over 9,100 families and households and has distributed over $2 million toward water bills in the area to help retain services.

Funds are earmarked specifically for payment of water and sewer bills. Contributions are tax deductible and no water and sewer revenues are used.
The maximum allowance for assistance is 50% of the bill up to $500. Customers may receive WAVE Fund help only once in any calendar year. The WAVE Fund assistance must restore service or assure service continuation for at least 30 days. To find out if you qualify for assistance from this program, call (313) 366-8535 or (313) 964-9094.

New Service Available for Detroit Residents

Optional Curbside Recycling Program

Curbside recycling will be available this fall for those without recycling now. To take part, residents will need to opt-in and request a 64-gal recycling container. There is a one-time fee of $25 for the container. Residents will receive additional recycling information in the mail. For those households that currently have curbside recycling, collection will continue.

Recycling Rewards:

Recycling service is only provided to customers who have registered for the recycling program. In addition, all recycling participants have the option to register online for the Reward$ for Recycling. The program offers discounts and coupons from local businesses.

How to Sign-up:

If you live east of Woodward Ave call Rizzo Environmental Services at 866-772-8900 and get details on signing up for Reward$ for Recycling.
Rizzo Environmental PDF

If you live west of Woodward Ave call Advanced Disposal at 844-233-8764 to request a 64-gal recycling container.
Advanced Disposal PDF