Dec. 31 Application Deadline Set for State Pandemic Arrearages Assistance by ACWA Staff Nov 9, 2023 Water News SACRAMENTO – The State Water Resources Control Board has formally opened the process for water and wastewater systems to apply for its Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program, a continuation of last year’s program that paid systems directly to cover debt from residential and commercial customers who experienced financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extended arrearages program expands the eligibility period by nearly 18 months, covering eligible unpaid customer water bill debt accrued between March 4, 2020 and Dec.31, 2022. The application period runs through Dec. 31, 2023, and fund disbursement should begin in February 2024. The funding covers water and wastewater debt from residential and commercial customers. Water and wastewater agencies – not customers – are responsible for applying for the funding. “We know that the financial impacts of the pandemic were felt most acutely by low-income families and communities,” stated E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Board, in a news release. “While the state’s overall economic recovery has been strong, we encourage water systems to apply for the extended arrearages program so we can work together to help these communities and all Californians who are still burdened with water bill debt from that time.” Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget trailer bill in July 2023 to extend the board’s prior arrearages program, which initially received $985 million in federal funding allocated by the State Legislature in 2021. ACWA and other statewide water associations advocated to secure federal funding and state appropriation of California’s share of that funding through the state budget process to assist with COVID-19-related customer arrearages. That program disbursed over $385 million to water and wastewater systems for residential and commercial arrearages before concluding last year. The extended program will disburse the remaining $600 million allocated by the Legislature. More information is available at the State Water Board’s California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program page.
