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You are Viewing an Archived Issue

Posted: 12/12/12

WT's growth means need
for higher water volumes

by KIMBERLY SCHERER
Observer Special Writer

      Washington Township agreed to an amended 30-year contract with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department that allows for periodic re-negotiations.
       Supervisor Dan O'Leary said the goal is to be reasonable when they set the usage parameters of the contract.
       Giffels-Webster engineer Mike Kozak said four items have been considered: Pressure, which is no cost to the township; total volume; max day usage and peak hour demand.
       It was recommended for the township to raise its peak hour since, in the past, the township has been close to reaching it.
       The township and DWSD are still negotiating total volume. Originally it was set at 90,000 units but dropped to 87,000 during the last negotiation. Now DWSD is recommending 81,000 units but the township is pushing for 83,000.
       Kozak said out of the 87 customers DWSD has, Washington is one of 30 in contract negotiations and the only community showing signs of growth.
       "We're defending that growth is really going to happen," he said, which is why the township is pushing for 83,000 units.
       O'Leary agrees with the amount as well.
       "We strongly feel that 83,000 is reasonable," he said.
       The township will be locked into these terms for five years, although there are exceptions. Kozak said if a large industry or giant development comes to the township, for example, or if they build a water tower, the township will be able to re-negotiate.
       The board voted to approve the amended contract during the Dec. 5 board meeting to include its preferred max volume set to 83,000 units. O'Leary said the Water and Sewer Committee was also in support of this.