Melvindale residents are pushing back against a long-standing city policy that requires them to pay for a minimum of 10 units of water per billing cycle — even if they use far less.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite’s full report in the video player below:
Melvindale residents fight minimum water billing requirement
Rene Marlow, a longtime Melvindale resident, said she uses just three units of water over three months but is still billed for the full 10. She says the policy results in a water bill of nearly $200 every few months.
“Something’s gotta change. I don’t know what people are supposed to do,” Marlow said.
In 2022, Melvindale City Council approved an increase in water and operating rates, setting the 10-unit minimum to cover a bond. However, officials say that the bond was paid off, and residents are now questioning why the minimum charge remains in place…