Maryland Launches $20 Million Water Relief Assistance Program – Conduit Street

Maryland residents struggling with delinquent water bills will soon have relief thanks to a new $20 million relief program.

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced a $20 million Water Relief Assistance Program to assist residents with water bill debt related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the press release.

“We continue to provide ways, especially during the winter months, to help residents who may be struggling with their water or heating bills,” Governor Hogan said. “Water systems are encouraged to apply for this funding to deliver savings for customers in the coming months.”

As a condition of receiving project funding, water systems must agree to post payments as bill credits to customer accounts within a certain number of days after payment is received, and waive late fees and interest charges. The loans will cover residential customers’ outstanding water debt incurred between January 2020 and September 2022.

The application period for water systems to apply for funding will begin next Monday, January 2, 2023 and will be open until Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

In addition, programs are available year-round through the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Office of Home Energy Programs to help with utility bills and prevent loss of service, including the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, Universal Electric Service Program, and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program;

Funding for this program will come from the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

Read the full press release.