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In a move to provide relief to residents and businesses who grappled with financial strain as a result of COVID-19, California Water Service has announced it secured more than $80 million in state funding – with over $6 million to go toward customers in the agency’s Livermore district.
Utility provider Cal Water currently serves over 60,000 customers in Livermore and more than 2 million across the state. The total $83 million in funding is aimed at alleviating the burden of past-due balances accrued during the pandemic period.
“We wanted to apply for these funds to help customers impacted by the pandemic,” Cal Water Chairman and CEO Martin A. Kropelnicki said in the recent announcement. “We appreciate the funding provided by the State of California to help ease our customers’ burden.”
“We also encourage any customers who are still struggling financially to take advantage of our numerous assistance programs. We are here to help,” added the CEO.
The funding was acquired through the California Extended Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program. Administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, the program allows utilities like Cal Water to apply for financial assistance on behalf of their customers.
This latest distribution of funds follows Cal Water’s successful application two years ago, where it secured more than $20.8 million through the original Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program.
Affected customers in Livermore and across Cal Water’s service area can expect to see credits applied to their accounts starting in the second quarter of 2024. The utility provider has said eligible customers will be notified directly before credit is applied.
“Within 60 days, Cal Water will notify customers directly if a credit will be applied to their accounts, (then) within 60 days, Cal Water will apply credits to affected customers’ accounts,” the agency said in a statement.
The extended program is applicable to debts incurred between June 2021 and December 2022.
