Federal Judge Backs Away From Detroit Water Cases

After mediating water and sewage disputes between Detroit and its suburbs for better than three decades, U.S. District Judge John Feikens has asked to be removed from the case amid speculation about his health.

Feikens, who turns 93 next week, requested the change, according to an administrative order from the court's Chief Judge, Gerald Rosen. The Detroit Free Press reported that Feikens has been ill recently.

Feikens began oversight of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department 33 years ago as part of a settlement in a federal pollution lawsuit.

The case has been assigned to Judge Sean Cox, a brother of Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.

(Copyright 2010 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press and Detroit Free Press Contributed To This Story)