Water bill assistance program approved

At their meeting on Monday, January 27, Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved a new water bill assistance program developed during the formation of the Great Lakes Water Authority, called WRAP. The Water Residential Assistance Program ("WRAP") is a universal service delivery model to help residential customers of the Great Lakes Water Authority access bill assistance, water conservation measures, and navigate resources and supports on a pathway toward self-sufficiency. Township Public Works Manager Katie Fotherby explained the township just has to opt in. “Our participation is limited to providing information,” she said. For qualifying customers in a participating WRAP community, GLWA offers a maximum of $1,000 for arrearage and bill assistance along with other benefits such as minor plumbing repairs and home water audits. By agreeing to participate in WRAP, the township agrees to accept the WRAP delivery model, to be run by Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, the project administrator. The township needs to provide them with a main point of contact who will be responsible for receiving and reviewing reports on enrolled residents on a regular basis, someone to answer questions, as needed, to attend WRAP meetings, and to act as a liaison to wholesale customer billing department regarding payments made by the alliance. “We believe participation in the WRAP represents a win/win scenario for the township and water customers alike. The township will receive payment it is owed for commodities it delivered and qualifying water customers who are behind in their bills may receive much needed assistance,” Fotherby, township supervisor Leo Savoie and director of public works Tom Trice wrote in a memo.