EPA Publishes Customer Assistance Program Compendium
EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center has published a compendium of utility customer assistance programs. The compendium includes information on the types of programs that have been implemented for specific segments of service areas that have difficulty paying water and sewer bills. These programs range from discount programs for specific customers (e.g., low income, elderly, disabled) to customers in short-term crisis situations (e.g., death of a family member, divorce) that are implemented through a donation program, variable rate structure, collaboration with a local social service agency, etc. A webinar will be held highlighting utilities that are implementing these programs. EPA is collaborating with national water sector associations (NACWA, AWWA, WEF, NAWC, AMWA), the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB), and selected utilities on this effort. Learn More.