Northville Starts Water Restrictions This Summer

The City of Northville exceeded its water limit last year according to contracts with the City of Detroit.

The city had to pay a penalty fee of $120,000 for the year, said Jim Gallogly, director of public works. Because the rates went up, the city decided to make water restrictions mandatory year-round. 

City of Northville residents will only be allowed to water their yards and gardens on odd or even days depending on the last digit of their home addresses.

In addition, those residents with underground sprinkler systems can only use them between midnight and 5 a.m., Gallogly said. Those that water with a hose can do it between 11 a.m. and midnight on their assigned days, he said.

"They can't do it in the morning hours because those typically are times of heavy water usage," Gallogly said.

Previously, these were only considered suggestions for residents.

"Now, if people don't do it, we will enforce it," he said.

If residents don't follow the water restrictions, they will first get warnings, Gallogly said. If they continue to ignore the rules, city police officers or code enforcement officers will issue civil infraction tickets. The first ticket will be $50 and any subsequent tickets will be $100, he said.

"If they don't pay the ticket, we'll put it on their taxes," he said.

The Detroit Water and Sewage Department increased the city's water rates by 22.7 percent, he said, which goes into effect June 1. The city's current hourly rate is 1.75 million gallons daily, which will be increased to 2.15 million gallons daily.  He said the city will have to pay that rate for one year, but the Detroit Water and Sewage Department will reevaluate the city's water usage in the fall to determine if the rate can be decreased.

"Our hope is to lower the rates eventually," Gallogly said.

Residents can expect to see signs in neighborhoods reminding them of the new restrictions and information post cards in the mail. Everyone in the city must follow these restrictions, he said.

"If not, they'll see a man in blue," he said.