MAYOR Mike Duggan of the US city of Detroit announced on Thursday that the city would offer affordable payment plans to residents whose water was cut off over rate arrears.

Mr Duggan has faced international criticism for cutting off water supplies to around 18,000 hard-up residents.

About 60 per cent to 70 per cent have since been restored and officials said that restorations were continuing and that cut-offs had been halted until August 25.

But the mayor made the concession following appeals by several groups to the United Nations for support and warnings by three UN experts that the shutoffs could constitute a human rights violation.

Mired in financial difficulties, Detroit became the largest US city ever to seek bankruptcy protection last year.

As of July 1, more than $89 million (£53m) was owed on nearly 92,000 overdue residential and commercial accounts.

Mr Duggan promised to streamline the payment process for customers facing shutoffs and said the city had created a charitable fund to accept donations for those in need.

However, spokeswoman for volunteer relief group Detroit Water Brigade Atpeace Makita said that the effort to resolve the issue, while appreciated, didn’t go far enough.

The group has called for a moratorium on shutoffs and income-based payment plans.

“The banks and the city itself have a reason for wanting people to take responsibility for their bills, no doubt,” Ms Makita said. 

“However, it’s almost like requiring blood from a turnip. 

“People can’t give you what’s not there.”