Detroit sues Highland Park over $17 million water bill

HIGHLAND PARK (AP) -- A financially struggling Detroit enclave is being sued by the city over roughly $17 million in unpaid water and sewer bills. The Detroit Free Press reported that the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has filed a federal lawsuit against Highland Park. Department director Sue McCormick says it's a "last-resort option" to keep other customers from "absorbing the burden of Highland Park's mounting liability." Highland Park City Attorney Todd Perkins says the city is weighing its options. He added $16.9 million would be hard to come up with for a city with an annual general fund budget of $12 million. The city discontinued its own water treatment plant last year, citing maintenance issues and other problems. Published: Mon, Dec 2, 2013