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1. What is CWWAPP?

The California Water and Wastewater Arrears Payment Program (CWWAPP) was created to provide financial assistance to community water systems to help customers who incurred past-due water and wastewater bills during the period of March 4, 2020 to June 15, 2021 (the COVID-19 pandemic period) in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code (California Health and Safety Code 116773.4). The program prioritizes the water portion of a customer’s bill; wastewater charges may be covered if the state has sufficient funding. This funding was provided through the CWWAPP with funding from the California State Water Resources Control Board using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

2. I’m behind on my utility bill and heard on the news about $2 billion in state assistance. Can this funding help me?

The state recently established the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) that will help pay customers’ electric utility bills that went unpaid during the pandemic, anytime between March 4, 2020, and June 15, 2021, incurring a past due balance of 60 days or more.

Additionally, the state also established the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (CWWAPP) to help pay customers’ water and wastewater bills that went unpaid between March 4, 2020, and June 15, 2021. This program prioritizes the water part of your bill; wastewater charges may be covered if the state has sufficient funding.

These programs are not income-based programs, so if you are eligible, we will apply funds directly to your account and notify you by mail if and when we do so. These programs will prioritize assistance per state guidance and are subject to state funding.

3. Do I need to apply for CWWAPP?

No. City staff has reviewed the state guidelines of these programs and determined which customers are eligible. Customers who were eligible were notified and a credit was applied on April 7, 2022.

4. Can CWWAPP pay my entire bill?

The amount credited to the account is only the past due amount eligible per the CWWAPP. If you still have a remaining balance after your account has been credited, you may request a payment plan. 

5. I haven’t been able to pay my bill in a while, so I might have late charges and interest. Are late charges and interest covered under the CWWAPP benefits?

CWWAPP does not cover or allow receiving agencies to assess late charges or penalties during the relief period, however the City did not apply late charges or penalties during the relief period.

6. I had trouble paying my bill in 2019. Will CWWAPP help me?

No, it will not. CWAPP was established specifically to help with economic issues caused by COVID-19. The programs only cover the relief period from March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021. 

7. I’m behind on my bill and am worried my water and/or power will be shut off. If I receive utility bill assistance from CWWAPP, will you still shut off my utility service(s)?

While the City has yet to determine a date to resume traditional billing operations and utility service disconnections for non-payment, it is on the horizon.

The California Arrearage Payment Program provides consumer protections. If you’re eligible for the program, a shutoff cannot occur if you have signed up for a payment plan within 30 days and have not defaulted on the payment plan. It is still your responsibility to pay your bill after that in full for bills due before and after the relief period.

8. I received bill assistance from another state program and I still have a past-due balance. Am I still eligible for CWAPP?

Receiving other types of bill assistance does not exclude you from eligibility for CWWAPP benefits. However, you must meet qualifications for each program which are also subject to state funding received.

9. I had to close/deactivate my account, but still have an unpaid balance. Am I still eligible to receive relief from CWWAPP for my unpaid balance?

Yes, the CWWAPP programs covered both active and inactive accounts that had unpaid balances during the relief period.