As a real estate professional in Metro Detroit, I frequently encounter frustrating delays due to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s (DWSD) slow turnaround for final water meter readings. While surrounding communities typically provide final water bills within one business day, DWSD often takes weeks or even months to issue them.

These delays have real consequences:

• Real estate closings are stalled
• Title companies are forced to hold escrow funds indefinitely
• Home sellers are left waiting for their refund
• And ironically, DWSD delays its own final payment collection

This outdated system causes unnecessary stress, lost time, and financial inconvenience for Detroit residents and professionals.

We are calling on DWSD to:

• Implement a 1-business-day standard for final water meter reads
• Provide more transparent communication and timelines
• Support a smoother, more professional real estate process in Detroit

Faster processing benefits everyone involved—homeowners, buyers, agents, title companies, and DWSD itself.

If you’ve experienced the frustration of this broken system—or simply believe Detroit deserves better—please sign and share this petition. It’s time to modernize the process and ensure efficient closings for all.