Arcata to Receive $325,000 to Assist Customers with Debt from Unpaid Water and Wastewater Bills

 

On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed a bill creating the Extended Water & Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program. The City of Arcata was notified it will receive $325,000 from the State Water Resources Control Board for the Program. The funds are expected to benefit 700 Arcata customers with debt related to unpaid water and wastewater bills from June 16, 2021, to December 31, 2022. 

 

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 caused by the pandemic. The $600 million State-wide expansion of the Program extends COVID relief to residential and commercial customers beyond the original program’s March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021, period. The extension is funded with dollars remaining after implementation of the original Water and Wastewater Arrearages Program, which the City of Arcata also participated in. The Program was funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

 

The City applied for and requested funds for all water and wastewater customers identified as eligible. Based on program guidelines, funds are paid directly to the City and customers do not need to apply.  Within 60 days of receiving the funds, the City will credit eligible customers’ accounts and notify them by mail that their debt has been cleared or reduced.

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