St. Louis residents with overdue water bills can apply for a credit of up to $500 to help pay down their accounts.
Starting Aug. 20, residents with delinquent water bills can apply to receive a credit toward unpaid bills through the city’s Water Utility Assistance Program. To receive the aid, eligible customers must enroll in a repayment plan with the Collector of Revenue to pay off any remaining balance.
The Water Utility Assistance Program, created in partnership with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, is funded with federal pandemic relief money from the 2021 American Rescue Plan.
To qualify, applicants must submit an online application and provide proof of St. Louis residency and documentation of financial hardship. Options for paying off the balance after the credit has been applied include six- or 12-month installment plans, depending on the total amount owed.
The aid comes as the city prepares to lift its COVID-era water shutoff moratorium on Sept. 1. Officials say more than 13,400 accounts are past due, totaling $12.6 million in unpaid bills. However, shutoffs will not resume for properties affected by the May 16 tornado. The moratorium will remain in place for those customers as the recovery process continues.
Wendy Todd is a Report for America corps member.