Monday hearing set for Detroit water shutoffs in bankruptcy court

The judge overseeing Detroit's historic bankruptcy case set a Monday hearing on a request to reinstate a moratorium on water shutoffs in the city, an initiative that has drawn international criticism. 

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes reportedly said during a hearing today that the record was "not adequately developed" to issue a ruling on the motion from attorney Alice Jennings, who's representing a number of residents in the case.

The judge instead scheduled an evidentiary hearing Monday at 9 a.m. on the matter. Among other things, residents in the case want Rhodes to implement a "water affordability plan," unlike the one installed my Mayor Mike Duggan last month. 

The hearing follows an announcement this month of a new regional water authority that would pay Detroit $50 million a year for the next 40 years to use regional aspects of the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department. The $50 million a year would be used solely to pay for infrastructure improvements to the water and sewer system. Detroit would retain ownership of the current system.