By John Bebow - January 9, 2009
In case you missed it over the holidays, Southeastern Michigan leaders appear to have broken a 30-year-old logjam by solving more than a dozen disputes involving the regional water and sewer system.
Under the deal, which still needs a final sign-off by local governments, a regional board representing the city of Detroit and suburban interests will meet quarterly to review system operations and work cooperatively on federal funding for system upkeep. Also, the suburbs will pay the city $300 million to take full control of suburban pumping stations.
In a region always in need of greater cooperation – especially on lingering issues like mass transit and the aerotropolis – the water deal is a good bit of momentum as we head into a new and challenging year.
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