Council: SW Detroit didn’t get special treatment for main breaks

February 4, 2026

Detroit City Council members addressed false claims that Southwest Detroit residents received preferential treatment following last year's major water main break that flooded hundreds of homes in the Central Southwest neighborhood. Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero refuted assertions that immigrant communities got special resources, explaining that residents actually had difficult experiences seeking reimbursement and many needs remain unmet nearly a year later. The controversy emerged as Detroit faces another wave of winter water main breaks, with 51 occurring across the city in late January.

Who is affected

Southwest Detroit residents (specifically Central Southwest neighborhood) whose homes were flooded by last year's transmission line break
Immigrant communities in Southwest Detroit facing false claims of preferential treatment
Denby neighborhood residents trapped in homes by ice from recent water main breaks
District 6 constituents represented by Council Member Santiago-Romero
Children who missed school when families were placed in hotels without transportation
Detroit residents citywide experiencing the 51 water main breaks at the end of January

What action is being taken

City crews are responding to 51 water main breaks across Detroit
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is providing a phone line (313-267-8000) for residents to request temporary water shutoffs
Council members are discussing potential options like repurposing vacant city property into shelter space
Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett is studying whether state law would allow creation of an emergency fund

Why it matters

This situation matters because it reveals inequities in how the city responds to infrastructure emergencies and highlights how misinformation can create division among vulnerable communities. The false narrative about preferential treatment for immigrant communities threatens to pit different racial and ethnic groups against each other, while the actual problem—inadequate emergency response and reimbursement systems—remains unresolved. The recurring nature of water main breaks during winter, combined with insufficient support systems for affected residents, demonstrates a systemic failure that leaves all Detroit residents vulnerable to property damage and displacement.

What's next

District 4 Council Member Latisha Johnson has proposed creating an emergency fund for residents who experience water main breaks. Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett will study whether state law permits the city to provide such funds to residents. More water main breaks are anticipated until temperatures rise.

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com