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The Survey Was the First Step – Now’s the Time for Formally Requesting Funds

On October 5, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) opened the application period for the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program. From now through December 6, districts that completed the SWRCB arrearages survey can submit formal applications for financial assistance. Applications can be accessed through the SWRCB electronic Annual Report (eAR) portal. Districts that wish to pursue funding must fill out the application in addition to having filled out the survey.

For those districts that did not complete the survey but would like to pursue funding through this program, the opportunity is still available by completing an abbreviated survey, also accessed through the eAR portal.

Water districts should be aware of the guidelines that the SWRCB adopted for the program at the September 21 Board meeting. Important provisions include:

• The funding will cover water debt from residential and commercial customers accrued between March 4, 2020 and June 15, 2021.
• Disbursements will begin on November 1, 2021, and continue through January 31, 2022. Applications will be evaluated and disbursements will take place as applications are received.
• Water systems must allocate the funds as bill credits to customers within 60 days of receiving funds. Water systems may apply the credits in two installments within different tax years
• Because there are sufficient funds to cover the statewide arrearage total plus the administrative costs, systems may request enough funds to cover both. SWRCB will provide a template for reporting administrative costs.
• As of September 23, 2021, all community water systems in California -- not limited to those participating in the arrearages program -- are prohibited from shutting off water to customers for non-payment until December 31, 2021.

As noted in a previous eNews edition, approximately $315 million in drinking water arrearages was reported statewide. Because this is less than the $985 million allocated for the program, there will be funding available for a wastewater arrearages program. This program is expected to be put in place by February 1, 2022.

The drinking water arrearages program is a separate and distinct program from the $100 million COVID-19 relief fund for independent special districts. Special districts with water or wastewater arrearages must choose which of these two funds is the best fit; a special district cannot participate in both programs.  

For additional information about the arrearage program, visit www.waterboards.ca.gov/arrearage_payment_program

For additional information about the $100 million COVID-19 relief fund, visit https://dof.ca.gov/budget/COVID-19/Fiscal_Relief_for_Special_Districts/

#COVID-19

#Revenue

#Water

#Wastewater

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