Detroit official says water plan is working

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit official says 30,000 water customers with overdue bills have signed up for a payment plan and kept their service but that 350 to 400 people still are being cut off each day.

The mayor's chief of staff, Alexis Wiley, testified Tuesday, the second day of a hearing in bankruptcy court. Judge Steven Rhodes is considering a request to stop shutoffs for people who can't afford water and restore water to others.

Wiley says a strategy announced in August is "absolutely" working. People with overdue bills can get into a payment plan after putting down 10 percent. There's also a $2 million fund to further assist customers.

Opponents say it's not good enough and that public health and children's welfare are at risk in homes without water.