Thousands of St. Louis residents are behind on their water bills, and city officials say they are adjusting a long-running assistance program to make it easier for people to keep their water on and start paying down what they owe.
City leaders recently expanded eligibility and lengthened repayment options for the Water Utility Assistance Program after hearing from residents struggling with past-due balances.
Water shutoffs were paused for nearly five years during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the city resumed discontinuing service for delinquent accounts in September. While customers affected by the May 16 tornado are not facing shutoffs, the number of overdue residential accounts has continued to climb.
City officials say more than 14,000 residential customers now have past-due balances, with more than $10 million owed to the Water Division. The growing debt has limited the division’s ability to maintain the city’s water system, officials said.
Under the updated rules, more residents now qualify for help. Income eligibility has been expanded from 60% of area median income to 80%. To qualify, residents must live in the city, have a water bill that is more than 90 days overdue and show hardship tied to COVID-19.
The program offers a one-time credit of up to $500 applied directly to a customer’s water account. Participants must also enroll in a repayment plan through the Collector of Revenue’s Office to pay off the remaining balance.
Depending on how much they owe, residents will enroll in either a 12-month or 24-month repayment plan. Previously, repayment periods were limited to 6 to 12 months. City officials say the longer timelines were added after residents said shorter plans were unrealistic.
Customers who are approved for the program and stay current with their repayment plan will not have their water shut off while they remain enrolled.
When nonresidential accounts are included, more than 16,000 water accounts across the city are past due, totaling more than $14 million.
City officials say the changes are intended to balance financial stability for the Water Division with relief for residents who fell behind during years of economic disruption. Funding for the program is limited, and assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents can apply and review eligibility requirements at www.stlwater.com.
Those who need help applying or have questions about their bill can contact the Water Division customer service line at 314-771-2255 or visit the Water Division office at 1640 S. Kingshighway, St. Louis.