City Cracks Down On Water Delinquents

"The water department's effort to collect overdue bills comes in the wake of calls by state lawmakers and some suburban officials for more regional control over the department, which serves 126 communities and is one of the nation's largest water utilities. The city sells water to suburban communities, which then charge customers and attach additional fees for delivering water and sewer service. Officials in Southfield and Warren, two of the largest suburbs served by the system, said they tack overdue water bills onto property taxes."