Home / Series / VICE News / Aired Order / Season 2014 / Episode 135

Shutoff: Detroit's Water War

Earlier this year, Detroit's Water and Sewerage Department began turning off water utilities for overdue or delinquent accounts. Since April, the department has cut off the water for nearly 3,000 households per week — meaning roughly 100,000 Motor City residents are without water. Entrenched at the bottom of Detroit's current economic crisis, many of those without water are the city's poorest resident. The city’s shut-off campaign has garnered international press attention, and has been called “an affront to human rights” by representatives of the United Nations. VICE News traveled to Detroit to see first-hand how residents are dealing with the water shut-offs, speak with local government representatives about the issue, and discuss possible resolutions with activist groups.

English
  • Originally Aired August 19, 2014
  • Runtime 10 minutes
  • Network YouTube
  • Production Company VICE Media
  • Created January 28, 2026 by
    AddingStuffIsFun
  • Modified January 28, 2026 by
    AddingStuffIsFun