Mixed Reviews On Water Department Implementing Proposed Changes

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Director of Detroit's Water and Sewerage Department wants to begin implementing some of the controversial changes proposed following a 90 day review of the system.

DWSD Director Sue McCormick has asked City Council to approve the EMA Consultant Services.

"The consulting evaluation that was done over 90 days; by interviewing people throughout our system - sitting with them as they do their work at their desks, has said to us that during the next phase, which is implementation that we have the ability by addressing all of that, to reduce our staffing by an additional 1,144 positions," said McCormick.

McCormick said the city is working with outdated equipment and practices.

But one union official is hoping city council won't get on board, urging the council to reject implementing review changes.

"We do not want city council to approve the EMA. contract and we know that the US government, the EPA is now worried about the EMA contract - by the sheer shrinking of the work-force," said AFSCME 207 President John Reihl.

EMA recommendations would shrink the work force at the water department by outsourcing non-core functions.