Detroit Teacher Honored At White House Returns Home To Find Water Shut Off

DETROIT (WWJ) -- A local teacher who was among those honored at the White House this week returned to Detroit to find that her house had no running water.

Cass Tech dance teacher Mayowa Lisa Reynolds -- who was in Washington D.C. being honored along with other educators from around the country -- says she had been paying her bill online and admits being late, but says she never received a shut-off notice.

"I didn't get anything in writing," Reynolds said. "I'm supposed to know that I was late the previous month."

Reynolds said she had to take a day off -- the same day teachers were due back in classrooms following a two-day work stoppage.

She and her husband went to a Detroit Water and Sewerage Department office to sort out the matter.

"When the lady and I were able to discuss things she explained to me that I was late once with the payment plan so that can automatically default me," Reynolds said. "She it didn't matter what the paper said that was sent to my home."

Reynolds said she had to show the deed to her house before being able to pay and have water service restored to the home.