History of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 31, 2026

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is a public utility providing water and sewerage services. Previously serving Detroit and 126 other communities, it utilized water from the Detroit River and Lake Huron via five treatment plants. Facing debt and privatization discussions, DWSD underwent significant changes in 2016 due to Detroit's bankruptcy. The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) was created, leasing the DWSD's assets for $50 million annually for 40 years. Post-restructuring, DWSD now focuses solely on providing water and sewer services to customers within Detroit.

1973: Department Renamed DWSD

In 1973, Detroit's Department of Water Supply (DWS) was reorganized and renamed the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) under a revised city charter.

1992: Survey Reveals Water Quality Issues

In a 1992 survey of water purveyors receiving DWSD water, considerable amounts of unlined cast-iron pipe were reported, with red/rusty water occurrences being a common cause of customer complaints.

2000: DWSD Water Provision and Treatment

In 2000, the DWSD provided water for around four million customers in Detroit and its metropolitan area, utilizing five water treatment plants fed from the Detroit River and Lake Huron, employing pre-chlorination, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection technologies.

2000: DWSD Utilized Five Water Treatment Plants

In 2000, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department utilized five water treatment plants using water from the Detroit River and Lake Huron to provide water and sewerage services.

June 10, 2013: Protests at Homrich Wrecking Inc.

On June 10, 2013, protests began at Homrich Wrecking Inc. over water shutoffs, leading to police intervention.

June 2013: More Homes Lose Water Access

In June 2013, following initial water shut-offs, 7,210 additional homes lost access to water.

2013: Detroit Bankruptcy

Detroit entered bankruptcy in 2013, which preceded a water crisis.

June 2014: Activist Submission to the United Nations and Tax Increase

In June 2014, Blue Planet Project activists filed a submission to the United Nations regarding Detroit's water system, and the Detroit City Council approved a water rate increase of 8.7%.

June 2014: Democracy Now Article

In June 2014, a Democracy Now article discussed the Detroit water crisis.

June 2014: DWSD Debt and Privatization Discussions

As of June 2014, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department faced significant debt and delinquent accounts, with discussions focusing on potential privatization and efforts to address overdue billing.

July 21, 2014: City of Detroit Delays Water Shut-offs

On July 21, 2014, in response to public protest, the City of Detroit announced delays in further water shut-offs.

July 29, 2014: Emergency Manager Transfers Power to Mayor

On July 29, 2014, Detroit's Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr announced that all power over DSWD would be transferred to Mayor Mike Duggan.

July 30, 2014: Legal Proceeding Filed

On July 30, 2014, a legal proceeding was filed by two citizens seeking compensation for water shutoffs.

August 2, 2014: Water Affordability Fair Hosted

On August 2, 2014, in response to public protests, DSWD hosted a Water Affordability Fair to address concerns about water shut-offs and offer financial assistance.

August 7, 2014: Duggan Announces Ten-Point Plan

On August 7, 2014, Mayor Duggan announced a ten-point plan to address water bill collection and restore water access to some residents.

August 25, 2014: Halt to Shutoffs Ends

On August 25, 2014, DSWD announced that the temporary halt to new shutoffs would end, and shutoffs continued.

2014: Water Shutoffs Continue

Between 2014 and 2020, over 50,000 additional water shutoffs occurred in Detroit, indicating a lack of a definitive solution to the conflict.

2014: Water Shutoffs Announced Due to Debt

In April 2014, the DWSD announced it was in debt due to unpaid water bills, leading to the shutdown of water access for over 150,000 residents, initially affecting 20,000 homes.

2014: DWSD Faced Debt and Privatization Talks

In mid-2014, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department had acquired significant debt and delinquent accounts, leading to discussions about potential privatization.

2014: Detroit Water Shutoffs Considered Environmental Injustice

The 2014 Detroit Water Shutoffs are considered a form of environmental injustice, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities economically and racially.

January 1, 2016: Great Lakes Water Authority Created

On January 1, 2016, under the terms of Detroit's municipal bankruptcy, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) was created with a $50 million annual lease agreement to the City of Detroit for 40 years. The DWSD then focused its services specifically on Detroit customers.

March 9, 2020: COVID-19 Water Restart Plan Instituted

On March 9, 2020, the City of Detroit instituted a COVID-19 Water Restart Plan to maintain water service during the pandemic, offering a reduced monthly rate of $25 for eligible residents.

2020: Additional Water Shutoffs

Between 2014 and 2020, over 50,000 additional water shutoffs occurred in Detroit, indicating a lack of a definitive solution to the conflict.

December 31, 2020: End Date of COVID-19 Water Restart Plan

The COVID-19 Water Restart Plan, instituted on March 9, 2020, was set to expire on December 31, 2020.

2025: DWSD Service Statistics

As of 2025, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department serves more than 230,000 accounts, provides water service to about 630,000 residents, and maintains an extensive water and sewer infrastructure.