The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is expected to announce new plans to help customers with past due accounts on Tuesday.
Right now, DWSD said there are 23,000 people currently behind on their bill with an average amount of $663 owed.
A blue ribbon panel on affordability was commissioned to review, analyze and make recommendations for programs aimed at helping the consumer.
The panel helped create two different options for people behind on their bills.
The WRAP fund is administered by the Wayne Metro Community Action Agency. In order to qualify, you must be at 150 percent of the poverty level or below, and you could get assistance of up to $1,000 a year. That means $25 a month for your current bill plus $700 for your past bills.
One other option is available called the 10/30/50 plan and is administered by DWSD. It is open only to Detroiters and has no income restrictions. Under the plan, customers pay a minimum of 10 percent of their past due amount with the remaining being paid over the course of 12 to 24 months.
DWSD is holding a water assistance fair on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the east side location on McNichols.
