Water bill payments can be deferred
West Bloomfield TWP. – West Bloomfield Township residents who cannot pay their water bill because of a hardship or loss of income are getting a break.
The township board has approved a Water Shut-Off Hardship Ordinance that will allow residents to defer payments.
Residents who are delinquent in payment 60 days or have delinquent charges of $500 or more can document that their hardship has resulted in loss of income.
After investigation by the township and approval by the director of the water department, service will continue without interruption or be reinstated.
“We are trying to keep people in their homes and provide water and sewer service,” said Edwin Hoopla, director of the township’s water and sewer department. “You need water to live.”
The township has 23,000 water accounts and “about 12 are pending deferral cases for this month,” said Haapala. “And they are growing.”
Officials pointed out the affluent township has not been immune to the economic challenges facing the country. Foreclosure rates are among the highest in Michigan.
As a result, some West Bloomfield residents are faced with paying a water bill or a mortgage.
Trustee Howard Rosenberg said the ordinance was developed “in response to the current economic problems we are facing.”
The delinquencies have affected township revenue.
“If you have 100 cases at $750 to $800 in delinquencies, the loss is substantial,” said Haapala.
The new ordinance will be reviewed on a yearly basis, officials said.
To learn more about water bill payment deferment contact the West Bloomfield Water and Sewer Department at (248) 451-4832 or visit www.twp.West Bloomfield.mi.us/.
The township board has approved a Water Shut-Off Hardship Ordinance that will allow residents to defer payments.
Residents who are delinquent in payment 60 days or have delinquent charges of $500 or more can document that their hardship has resulted in loss of income.
After investigation by the township and approval by the director of the water department, service will continue without interruption or be reinstated.
“We are trying to keep people in their homes and provide water and sewer service,” said Edwin Hoopla, director of the township’s water and sewer department. “You need water to live.”
The township has 23,000 water accounts and “about 12 are pending deferral cases for this month,” said Haapala. “And they are growing.”
Officials pointed out the affluent township has not been immune to the economic challenges facing the country. Foreclosure rates are among the highest in Michigan.
As a result, some West Bloomfield residents are faced with paying a water bill or a mortgage.
Trustee Howard Rosenberg said the ordinance was developed “in response to the current economic problems we are facing.”
The delinquencies have affected township revenue.
“If you have 100 cases at $750 to $800 in delinquencies, the loss is substantial,” said Haapala.
The new ordinance will be reviewed on a yearly basis, officials said.
To learn more about water bill payment deferment contact the West Bloomfield Water and Sewer Department at (248) 451-4832 or visit www.twp.West Bloomfield.mi.us/.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/02/05/news/local_news/doc498ab79f2a876800318714.txt
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