DETROIT, October 20 (RIA Novosti) – Water shutoff in Detroit is not a solution when people are unable to pay their bills, US Congressman John Conyers of Michigan said.
"If you can prove you can't afford it, then there should be other alternative remedies," Conyers told RIA Novosti on Sunday.
The congressman was one of the panelists during the town hall meeting on water rights issues and its affordability in Detroit, organized by Detroit's community groups. Hundreds of local residents came to testify to the UN Special Rapporteurs, who came to the city on behalf of the United Nations to learn more about the water shutoffs, the impact on low-income groups and their human rights, as well as the need for adequate housing.
Conyers noted he knew plenty of people, who have been affected by the water shutoffs.
"They've come to rallies," he said. "My personal message for everybody is to get out, and vote for people that support the right solution to these problems."
Dozens of Detroiters had a chance to share their stories, explaining how the crisis has affected thousands of families.
The panel has learned that there are cases in Detroit when children have to come to school at 5 a.m. to take showers, and their teachers buy the students water on the regular basis.
The experts have listened to the numerous stories of people, whose water was shut off as they could not afford to pay for it due to various reasons. In many cases, taps are turned off in the entire neighborhoods.
The public also found out that some shelters in Detroit do not have any water, and homeless people asking for a cup of water are often ignored.
"Water is a right, that it is so important and so necessary to life that it takes on importance beyond just being able to buy it. Everybody should be provided with water," Conyers emphasized.
"We've got so many different issues, and they are all important. The water shut off, full employment, universal healthcare, raising a minimum wage," the congressman added.
Many people, who came out at the testimony, used an opportunity to talk about other vital problems Detroit has, including unaffordable housing.
Leilani Farha, special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, and Catarina de Albuquerque, special rapporteur on the human right to water and sanitation, have already met with the lawyers and laborers. They are visiting the neighborhoods where the houses were affected by the shutoffs.
On Monday morning they have a scheduled meeting with Mayor Mike Duggan and members of the Detroit City Council.
Public affairs spokesman for Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, Gregory Eno told RIA Novosti on Friday that the water shutoffs so far this year, January 1 through September 30, in Detroit encompass 27,148 commercial and residential properties.
A declining population, increasing unemployment and an estimated $18 billion in debt have contributed to Detroit filing for bankruptcy in July 2013. The next bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for October 20.
