How to get help paying a water bill
If you are behind on a water bill or have received a shut-off notice, start with the company that bills you. Most people think of charities or the government first, but charity or government assistance for water bills is limited and hard to count on. Your water company often has more ways to help, so it is the better place to begin.
The options below are listed in the order it makes sense to try them. This page explains how the programs work in general. The programs for your specific city or water company are on a separate page, a directory of local water bill help by state, county or company.
Start with your water company
Most water companies, including city or county run systems, offer some combination of three things: a lower rate for low-income households, a payment plan if you are behind, and protection from a shut-off while you catch up. These are usually not “advertised”, and none of them happen automatically, so you have to call and ask for them.
- A payment plan is the most common option. It splits what you owe into smaller amounts over several months instead of one large bill. In most cases you will need to make a payment up front, stay current on your regular bills during the plan, and the plan ends if you fall behind again. If your water is already shut off, expect to pay a larger amount up front to turn it back on.
- Some companies also lower a bill for a household in a serious emergency. This may be a medical issue or short term reduction in income.
- The last option, which may be more common, is companies that may give seniors and people on a fixed income a standing discount. This may also be for people with a disability.
To qualify for any of this, you usually have to show your income or prove a hardship. Often that means showing you already get a program like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or LIHEAP. If American Water serves your area, it runs a program called H2O Help to Others that works in a similar way, paid for by a charity fund.
Government help with a water bill
LIHWAP, a federal program created just for water bills, has lost its federal funding. Some states have kept a version running with their own money; others have added water help to their energy assistance program. So depending on where you live, a state water-bill program may still exist. This site's guide to alternatives to LIHWAP explains what is left.
The main program to ask about is LIHEAP (or your state’s version of it). It is mostly known for heating and cooling bills, but in some states it also helps with water or sewer. You apply through a local community action agency or county office. The program goes by different names in different states, so ask locally for the version near you. This site's guide to LIHEAP has more.
Charities and local nonprofits
If the options above do not cover the bill and it is urgent, local charities are the next place to look, but treat them as a last resort. Their funds are limited, they usually help only in a real emergency, and water bills are a low priority for most of them.
The best place to start is a community action agency. These operate in nearly every county and can sometimes pay toward a shut-off, help you apply for LIHEAP (as noted the name may change by state), or set up a plan with your water company. This site's guide to state options for community action agencies explains how to find yours. Groups like the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Charities also may help with a water or sewer bill once in a while, usually for a family in crisis.
Lowering future bills
Lowering the bill itself helps over the long run. Many water companies and cities offer a free home water survey: someone comes out, checks for leaks and old fixtures, and often gives you free replacements like faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads. A single hidden leak, like a running toilet, can raise a bill for months before anyone notices, so this is worth doing even if your bill looks normal.
For more on cutting water use, see the federal WaterSense program, covered in this site's WaterSense guide, and this site's guide to saving money on water bills. As it is possible to get assistance with current bills (though not as common) and even more likely to get help with reducing future costs.
Find or ask for help - options from the community
Other people struggle to pay water costs. If you want to read what other households are doing to find help or cut back / conserve, we have a forum with that is moderated with comments from people across the US. Ask a question, find tips, give information to others and in general interact with others in need at the dedicated water assistance thread.
Water programs, discounts, and emergency funds change over time and vary by state and provider. In general, water bill help is not as common - however conservation options may be more available. Check what is available and current with your water company or the program before counting on it.
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