Sweetwater Authority (Authority) recently received $633,540 from the COVID-19 relief fund. The money will cover residential and commercial water debt accrued between March 4, 2020 and June 15, 2021. Funds were distributed directly to the Authority and will be applied to delinquent accounts to cover outstanding balances. Unused funds will be returned to the state, as required.
Funding is from the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program, and is administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board. This program offers $985 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for water debt.
“Our Board recognizes that the financial impacts of COVID-19 have adversely affected our community,” said Chair Alejandra Sotelo-Solis. “We are committed to working with our customers to make sure that everyone has access to safe and reliable water, and ample time to work through the challenges that we are still facing from the pandemic.”
To assist customers, the Governing Board extended payment plan options from twelve months to twenty-four months. The Authority has been working closely with customers to arrange payment plans and provide information on accounts. Customers are encouraged to reach out to the Authority’s Customer Service Department at (619) 420-1413 to discuss the specific needs of their account.
The Authority is also partnering with Union Bank to provide free personal budgeting workshops for Authority customers. Additional information on these workshops can be found at www.sweetwater.org/webinar.
