Fact Sheet for the Detroit Water and Sewer Department

[FrodosPet]

http://www.dwsd.org/downloads_n/about_dwsd/fact_sheet/dwsd_fact_sheet.pdf

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department wants you to know your tap water meets or surpasses all federal and state standards for quality and safety.

• One of the largest systems in the nation, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has a rich history in public utility service dating back to the early 1800s - beginning with a water system of wooden logs and the "Grand Sewer" made up of brick and stone.

• DWSD provides water service to the entire city of Detroit and neighboring southeastern Michigan communities throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer, Genesee, Washtenaw and Monroe counties. The 1,079-square-mile water service area, which includes Detroit and 127 suburban communities, makes up approximately 40 percent of the state's population. Wastewater service is also provided to a 946-square-mile area that encompasses Detroit and 76 neighboring communities.

• The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is a branch of the City of Detroit government. The Department is governed by a seven-member Board of Water Commissioners whose members are appointed by the Mayor. Four commissioners, by City Charter requirements, represent Detroit residents. Three remaining commissioners represent suburban wholesale customers with appointees from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Board meeting times and locations are posted on the Department's website at www.dwsd.org. Click on the About DWSD button for the DWSD Board of Water Commissioners Meeting Calendar.

• DWSD's water supply system is one of the largest in the nation both in terms of water produced and population served. The water system draws fresh water from the Great Lakes System, with Lake Huron to the north and the Detroit River to the south. Hardness levels for treated drinking water vary depending on the time of the year, averaging 105 parts per million or 6.0 grains per gallon. DWSD's water network consists of 3,438 miles of transmission and distribution mains within the City of Detroit, and 402 miles of transmission mains in the remaining service area. DWSD's five water treatment plants pump an average of 610 million gallons of clean drinking water each day. The Department is responsible for maintenance and repair of 27,244 fire hydrants in the city.

• DWSD's sewer system originated in 1836, and today consists of 12 pump stations, six combined sewer overflow retention treatment basins, three screening and disinfection facilities, and over 3,000 miles of large diameter sewer lines that carry captured storm water runoff, snowmelt, and waste water to the Wastewater Treatment Plant — one of the largest single-site wastewater treatment facilities in the country. This facility treats an average of 710 million gallons of flow per day.

• The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, with 1,651 employees, has combined water and sewerage rates lower than most American cities, including Midwestern cities like Chicago,Columbus, and Indianapolis. By law, DWSD can only recover the cost for provision of service — it cannot make a profit. For the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014/2015 the Department has an annual operating budget of approximately $363,771,200 million.

• By Michigan statute, DWSD is a not-for-profit entity. Water and sewer rates are based on cost of service only and the Department receives no subsidies from property taxes.Based on the rates adopted for Fiscal Year 2014/2015, in July 2014 DWSD began billing customers in the city of Detroit an average of $97.85 per month based on water usage of 1,000 cubic feet per month. This covers all costs of providing safe drinking water and sewer service to their homes, including the cost of water and wastewater treatment, pumping, delivery, billing, and more.

• Suburban customers receive the same high quality drinking water and wastewater treatment provided to Detroit customers. However, their municipalities operate additional facilities to bring these services to their homes, so DWSD's monthly charges for the average suburban customer represent only a portion of the final bill for residents outside the city.

• DWSD's July 2013 Capital Improvement Program totals approximately $1.4 billion over the next five years and beyond with approximately $174.7 million and $322.4 million budgeted for water and sewer projects for FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-17 respectively. The program focuses on maintaining the excellent quality of water provided to customers; improving water system reliability by replacing aging infrastructure to reduce the growing incidence of main breaks; ensuring environmental protection for all customers through upgraded treatment facilities; improving employee safety through system modifications; and increasing efficiency of services to all customers by taking advantage of new technology.

• Major projects in the Capital Improvement Program include replacement of aging water mains; rehabilitation and upgrades to water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations and reservoirs; rehabilitation or replacement of sewer lines and outfalls; construction of combined sewer overflow control facilities to ensure that sewer systems effectively handle storm water flows and protect the environment.

• The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is proud of the high quality of drinking water it provides throughout the Detroit region. Specifics about this notable drinking water and the process used to ensure its safety for all customers, can be found in DWSD's Water Quality Report which is issued annually and is available from DWSD's Water Quality Division, at 313-926-8102, or on the Department's website at www.dwsd.org. Click on the Customer Info button.

• The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department places a high importance on community awareness about water and sewer related issues. The Department hosts a number of annual events including Drinking Water Week in May with related events throughout the month. For information contact — Public Affairs Customer Outreach Section at 313-964-9576.

[FrodosPet]

1. Who should pay for water?

Water mains, pumps, sewer lines, treatment plants...who should pay?

Should everyone in America get free water? Or just people below a certain income threshold?

[X_Digger]

2. It's a human right.. and that means that the government should provide it for free, right?

I mean, we have a right to keep and bear arms, so the government gives me a gun, right?

And I have a right to free speech, therefore the government should give me a megaphone or 1/2 page on the NYT.

I have the right to vote, therefore the government should come pick me up and take me to my polling place. AmiRite?

The right to travel is well-recognized, so I should ride on amtrack for free, no?

[FrodosPet]

3. Winter is coming, I need a new coat and boots

Plus free food and water and rent.

I've got a job, but it kinda sucks, and the pay is less than I was making in 1996, so I need a new suit to get a better job.

The Federal government needs to cough up some money for me.