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.
Cashier
Window Hours:
Monday - Friday
11am - 5pm