Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended a moratorium on water service shutoffs for non-payment through the end of the year.
The new executive order continues earlier protections against water shutoffs for non-payment.
The order also requires public water utilities to try to find customers who’ve lost service for non-payment.
Service has to be restored unless reconnecting to damaged pipes would cause a threat to public health or safety.
In a statement, Whitmer said the need water for drinking water and for sanitation is particularly acute during the COVID-19 crisis.
The current state budget has $25 million dollars set aside to reimburse utilities for unpaid water bills. There’s no word on how much of that money is still available.
The governor is also pressing the federal government to provide help to pay water bills.
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