ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced $20 million in funding to support residents with water bill debt related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance will be provided through 19 water systems that applied for and were awarded funding from the Water Assistance Relief Program.
“The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t just a once-in-a-generation public health crisis–it also placed enormous financial strain on Maryland families,” said Gov. Moore. “Our administration is serious about delivering an equitable recovery that helps all of our communities bounce back, including low-income Marylanders still struggling to pay the bills. This investment honors that commitment with action.”
As a condition of receiving program funding, water systems have agreed to allocate payments as bill credits to customer accounts and waive late fees and interest penalties. Additional program requirements may be found on the Department of Budget and Management website. The credits will cover outstanding water debt that was accrued between January 2020 and September 2022.
Funding will relieve water debt for 30,000 or more families across all regions of Maryland. Additional federal funding of $14 million from the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program was previously allocated through the Maryland Department of Human Services to support families with water assistance debt. Applications for assistance may be found through the Maryland Department of Human Services website.
Funding has been made available from Maryland’s State and Local Fiscal Relief Fund award under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Maryland Water Assistance Relief Program
| Baltimore City DPW | 15,871,159 |
| Town of Boonsboro | 1,984 |
| Calvert County Government | 25,000 |
| Cecil County Government | 94,181 |
| Town of Centreville | 25,000 |
| Town of Charlestown | 25,000 |
| Easton Utilities | 14,680 |
| City of Hagerstown | 50,983 |
| Harford County Maryland | 25,000 |
| Howard County Government | 25,000 |
| Town of Luke | 2,340 |
| Maryland Environmental Service | 2,988 |
| Town of Rockhall | 3,802 |
| Somerset County Sanitary District | 14,156 |
| Town of Sudlersville | 25,000 |
| Town of Thurmont | 25,000 |
| Town of Walkersville | 25,000 |
| Town of Sudlersville | 25,000 |
| Town of Thurmont | 25,000 |
| Town of Walkersville | 1,380 |
| Town of Williamsport | 11,337 |
| Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission | 3,756,009 |
Will those receiving the financial benefits be required to pay taxes on the money that is paying off their debt?
Moore rewards for those who do not pay their bills while those of us who do pay for their bills too.
Why is Maryland TAX PAYERS paying for WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANATARY COMMISION? LET WASHINGTON pay their own damn bills. Those WASHINGTON crooks have millions so they should pay their own bills.
don’t you all remember when he first was running for Gov. he owed something like 3,000 on his own water bill?