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Paul S. Enns

@psenns.bsky.social
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
This concludes my coverage of the September 16, 2026 Board of Water Commissioners meeting. For more meeting coverage, check out www.documenters.org
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The next BOWC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. It will be held in the 5th Floor Board Room, Water Board Building, 735 Randolph St, Detroit, MI, 48226. Please see dwsd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for further information.
dwsd.legistar.com
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department - Calendar
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Motion to adjourn is made, seconded, and passed.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Comments by Commissioners. Blackmon thanks the director for sharing the video. Chair Einheuser thanks the community, says they are obligated to have meetings in the community 4 times a year and looks forward to the next one.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Director Brown wants to show a video of Blackmon getting a reward from RESA. She has retired from the Wayne County RESA after 45 years of service.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Blackmon asks about customers who can't use credit cards to pay for their bills. Director Brown plans to have a customer service center available by next week. They'll have a soft opening to start that allows customers to pay at a counter. Next meeting will have more details.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Director Brown mentions the cyberattacks that affected 7 Michigan water systems. Detroit has a more sophisticated system to fight cyberattacks.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This all wouldn't be possible without customers doing their part, the dedication of the workers, and the BOWC.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Slides are now being shown. The next slides cover the Lifeline H₂O and EasyPay programs.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Since 2020, collection rate has dropped 12%. With no additional federal or state funding, rates will go up 10–15%.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Alley sewer repair system is working to reconnect house lines and repair sinkholes.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
He addresses the storm water, how they have to adapt to larger storm amounts than originally designed.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Operationally, they are committed to cleaning the entire system every 4–5 years.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Over 100 miles of sewer lines relined.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
70,000 lead service lines to be replaced.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
About 30,000 fire hydrants in the city. They have made an effort to keep the number out of service down.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Unfortunately, they aren't showing the slides of the presentation, just showing the speaker.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
They have been able to keep their budget down to around 3% increases per year since 2017. It averaged over 9% increase previously.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Director's Message is next. He's already given his message earlier, but has a presentation to show from Sam Smalley.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Approval of Consent Agenda is passed. There is no New Business.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Communications are approved. There are no Items from Commissioners or Unfinished Business.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
That ends Public Commentary.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Director Brown appreciates the last speaker's work to help the people of Detroit to get back into the program. He will support any actions to bring more money to the programs for water bills.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
That's it for in-person speakers. There are no online speakers.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Next speaker talks about the inability of EasyPay participants to keep up payments, as income hasn't changed but bills go up. She advocates for the low-income participants to be able to pay a set amount to get back on the program after defaulting previously.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Director Brown says that members of the HR Department are present and the speaker may submit a résumé. He emphasizes that it will take 10's of millions of dollars for any solution.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Next speaker is concerned with the storm drains. The amount of storm water is too much for the way the city handles it now. She wants to be hired to solve the problem and install rain gardens and retention ponds. There is no current job opening for her skill set.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Next speaker needs the city to solve the issue with estimated water bills charging too much for new home owners.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Cecily McClellan is the first speaker. She is concerned there isn't enough money for the low-income residents to get support in their water bill. She wants an ordinance to guarantee access to water for all residents. GLWA should be paying more than $50 million a year; it should be $215 million.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Next is Public Commentary. They are explaining how to participate in the Public Commentary.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Approval of Agenda passes. Minutes have been moved and seconded and are approved.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
CORRECTION: I should have said "He thanks", not "She thanks" above in the Director's remarks.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Decisions are being made about whether or not to repair the building or build a new headquarters.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Director Brown explains how the normal building has been barricaded for nine months due to damage, but they hope to be back within three months. Some other repairs need to be done. Estimate is over $20 million to repair.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Scott Benson thanks the Commissioners and the church for arranging the meeting in the 3rd District. It's an opportunity for the citizens to see how things are done.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
She thanks the Second Ebenezer Church for hosting today. Scott Benson is also present.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Everyone is present for the meeting. Director Brown is also present and will speak now.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Audio sounds good. Frankly, I was going to phone in if it didn't come up.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
And we're in!
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
5:50 p.m. and still locked out.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
5:40 p.m. and the Zoom connection isn't working yet.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
For previous meetings of the BOWC, you can find documentation at detroit.documenters.org/reporting/?a...
detroit.documenters.org
Reporting | Documenters.org
All the info you need on public meetings in your town, in one easy-to-search place. Get TRAINED and PAID to hold your local government accountable. Powered by City Bureau.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
More information about the Commissioners may be found at detroitmi.gov/government/b....
detroitmi.gov
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Members: Michael Einheuser, Chair Mary E. Blackmon, Vice Chair Ademola Fagade, Commissioner John Henry Davis, Commissioner Linda D. Forte, Commissioner Jane C. Garcia, Commissioner Jonathan C. Kinloch, Commissioner
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
There will be time allotted for public comment. Speakers will be limited to three minutes apiece.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
To join via Zoom or phone, visit dwsd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx; instructions are on any of the calendar events. This is also where you can get the agendas for the board.
dwsd.legistar.com
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department - Calendar
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
In Person: The public is welcome to join the meeting at Second Ebenezer Church, 14601 Dequindre St, Detroit, MI 48212 The public is also invited to join via Zoom or phone.
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Paul S. Enns @psenns.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Media Partners:  @bridgedet313.bsky.social  @freep.com  @metrotimes.com  @michiganpublic.bsky.social  @outliermedia.org  @planetdetroit.org  @wdet.bsky.social @wxyzdetroit.bsky.social
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