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California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many Californians to pay their bills due to job loss and other hardships. As a result, systems that provide water services to customers have been financially impacted.

Through $985 million in federal funding allocated by the state legislature, the State Water Board created the California Water and Wastewater Arrearages Payment Program to provide relief to community water and wastewater systems for unpaid bills related to the pandemic. The funding covered water debt from residential and commercial customers accrued between March 4, 2020 and June 15, 2021. The application period ended on April 1, 2022, and the State Water Board disbursed over $385 million to water and wastewater systems for residential and commercial arrearages.

On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill expanding the Arrearages Program. This new Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program extends the COVID Relief Period to December 31, 2022, with the state legislature allocating the remaining $600 million in federal funding for this Program. The new Extended Arrearage Program will include both water and wastewater debt from residential and commercial customers.

The Extended Arrearage Program will have a 60-day application period for both water and wastewater arrearages, and disbursement of funds will begin immediately after. The application period is estimated to begin around November 2023.

  Application and Forms

Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Program

  • Extended Arrearage Application
    The application period for the Extended Arrearage Program is now open. The application period will run from Nov 1, 2023 through Dec 31, 2023. Late applications will be accepted through Jan 31, 2024 but will not be guaranteed funding. Please use the Application Preview below to obtain all information necessary prior to starting the Application.
  • Application Preview
    This application preview in for informational purposes only and should be used to gather the required information and prepare the required documents in advance of the online application being open. Applicants must submit their application online once the application period opens. Emailed, or mailed Application Preview forms will not be accepted as an application for the Program.
  • Government Agency Taxpayer ID Form
    Applicant is Government Agency Only. The Principal Government Agency Name field must match exactly with that of the applicant’s name as registered with the federal IRS. The Remit-To Address must be the address where the arrearage disbursement check will be mailed to.
  • Non-Government Agency Taxpayer ID Form
    Applicant is Non-Government Entity Only. The Name field on the Payee Data Record form must match exactly with that of the applicant’s name as registered with the federal IRS. The mailing address must be the address where the arrearage disbursement check will be mailed to.
  • Authorized Representative Delegation Form
    This form may be used if a delegation of signature authority is necessary. See the Signatory Requirements Guidelines for a list of authorized signatories, and other approved delegation documentation.
  • Disbursement Request Form
    This form must be filled out in its entirety. The form must have a wet signature and must be mailed to the State Water Board.
  • Conditions of Payment Form
    This form must be filled out in its entirety. The form must have a wet signature and must be mailed to the State Water Board.
  • Sample Accounts Spreadsheet
    This spreadsheet may be used to list the accounts in arrears for funding that is requested. This sample spreadsheet is not mandatory to be used, however an MS Excel spreadsheet containing the accounts information is mandatory as part of the application.
  • Mailing Address for Documents
    • State Water Resources Control Board
      Division of Financial Assistance
      Extended Water Arrearage Program
      1001 I Street, 17th Floor
      Sacramento, CA 95814

  FAQs and Other Documents

  Past Events

Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Program

  Quick Links

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Prevention

Original Water Arrearage Program Page (for reference only)

Original Wastewater Arrearage Program Page (for reference only)

  Stay informed

Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program - Email Subscription List

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