City of St. Louis Expands Water Utility Assistance to Get More Past-Due Accounts on Track for Repayment

In an effort to bring down the number of past-due residential water accounts in the City of St. Louis, and as a result of community feedback, the City has updated eligibility requirements and extended repayment terms for the Water Utility Assistance Program, enabling more St. Louisans to get started on repaying past-due water bills.

Following a five-year moratorium that began early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of St. Louis began discontinuing water service for delinquent customers in September. The extended moratorium resulted in the number of past-due residential customers ballooning to more than 14,000, with more $10 million owed to the Water Division, limiting the division's ability to maintain the City's water infrastructure.

The City is not shutting off water for customers affected by the May 16 tornado.

Eligibility requirements for the assistance program include St. Louis City residency, a delinquent water service balance that is more than 90 days old, and hardship due to COVID-19. Household income eligibility has now been expanded from 60% of the Area Median Income or below to 80% or below.

The program is designed to assist residents with a one-time credit of up to $500 applied directly to their water account. Residents will also be required to enroll in a repayment plan with the Collector of Revenue's Office to pay the remaining balance. Based on their balance, residents must enroll in either a 12-month or a 24-month repayment plan. Based on community feedback, the Collector of Revenue's Office has expanded the repayment period, which was previously 6-12 months. Residents who apply and enroll in a repayment plan will not have their water service shut off while they are active participants in the program.

In total, including non-residential customers, more than 16,000 accounts are past due, totaling over $14 million in overdue funds. Lifting the water moratorium, implementing the Water Utility Assistance Program and shutting for non-payment are allowing the Water Division to recover funds and improve its financial standing to remain solvent in its mission to provide safe and reliable water service to its customers at an economical price.

Due to limited funding, eligible residents will be assisted through this program on a first-come, first-served basis.

To apply and view the complete list of eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions, visit the Water Division website at stlwater.com.

Residents who need help applying or have questions about their bill can contact the Water Division customer service team by phone at 314-771-2255 or visit the Water Division office at 1640 S. Kingshighway.