HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Residents in Highland Park will soon have added fiscal assistance for affording water bills after a new partnership between The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) was announced. 

“To help ensure Highland Park residents can access safe, affordable drinking water, I am proud to announce a partnership with THAW to help lower bills on our path to implementing the historic settlement agreement we brokered last month,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m thankful to THAW for raising its hand to help and to GLWA and Highland Park for working together in good faith on a deal that will ensure residents can access water, as the state helps the city with long overdue infrastructure upgrades. Since I took office, we’ve made record investments in water infrastructure and affordability. I’ll continue to work with anyone to keep rates affordable, and most importantly, keep safe water flowing to every home.”   

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For a decade, Highland Park and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) have engaged in litigation totaling more than $50 million over disputed bills as the city’s aging water infrastructure loses water. 

“It is estimated that the city loses about 70% of its water due to inadequate infrastructure,” according to the Governor’s office. 

In October, a deal was made between GLWA and Highland Park to end the dispute over the unpaid water bills, resulting in the state picking up some of the tab in part with the GLWA providing $20 million in “bad debt recovery credits.” 

State Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) acknowledged that the rising cost of water bills is affecting many Michiganders including those in Highland Park. 

“I am excited for today’s announcement about a new partnership with a strong, trusted community organization, THAW,” said state Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit). “I am immensely grateful for the efforts of Gov. Whitmer, THAW, the City of Highland Park and GLWA to come together to address the issue of water bills for Highland Parkers who have long needed and deserved solutions. I look forward to continuing the progress in the legislature on solutions that will ensure long-term water affordability across the state.” 

 According to the Governor’s office the deal includes the following commitments from the state: 

  • Fund installation of master water and temporary sewer meters in Highland Park.  
  •  Fund water main and service line replacement efforts within Highland Park.  
  •  Release a $25 million sewer infrastructure grant for GLWA that was previously appropriated.  
  •  Fund a $5 million grant for GLWA for drinking water infrastructure.   
  • Revise the administrative consent order to include settlement terms under the Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).   

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Last May, Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald declared a state of emergency addressing the more than $20 million in unpaid water bills owed to the GLWA.