If you cannot pay your water bill, call your water utility and ask for a payment plan, any low-income or senior discount, and its customer assistance fund; call 211 for local charities and community action agencies that help with water; and ask whether a medical condition or household with young children gives you shutoff protection. The temporary federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program has ended.
How it works
The short version, before the detail.
Most water and sewer service is provided by city or county utilities or by private companies regulated by the state. Because there is no ongoing federal programme that helps with water bills, help depends on what your local utility and community offer. The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program was a temporary federal programme created during the pandemic; its funding has ended.
Many water utilities now run customer assistance programmes funded by donations, rates or local government: one-off grants toward past-due bills, ongoing discounts for low-income or senior customers, and leak adjustment credits when a hidden leak causes a huge bill. Some cities offer income-based water rates.
Payment plans are widely available. Water utilities generally prefer an arrangement to a shutoff and the expense of reconnection. Ask how long you can spread the balance and whether late fees can be waived.
Shutoff rules vary greatly. Some states and cities restrict water disconnections for households with young children, older adults, or medical needs, or during extreme heat. Others offer few protections. Ask your utility and check your city's rules.
For renters, water can be complicated. If the landlord pays water and fails to, tenants may have protections or be allowed to pay to keep service on. If water is billed to you, the same help applies as for owners.
A sudden spike usually means a leak. Running toilets are the most common culprit and can waste large amounts of water silently; a few drops of food colouring in the tank that appear in the bowl without flushing confirm it. Dripping taps, irrigation systems and underground service-line leaks are others. Fix the leak first, keep the plumber's receipt or a photo of the repair, then ask the utility for a leak adjustment.
Who usually qualifies
Factors the agency looks at. Only they make the final decision.
Because help is local, eligibility rules vary by utility and city.
How to apply, step by step
Read your bill and notice
Note the past-due amount and any shutoff date.
Call the water utility
Ask for a payment plan, low-income or senior discount, and assistance fund.
Ask about leak adjustments
If a leak caused the bill, ask for a credit and fix the leak.
Call 211
Ask for charities and community action agencies that help with water bills.
Check protections
Ask whether children, age or medical conditions protect against shutoff.
Get it in writing
Confirm any plan or credit.
Reduce use
Ask about free leak checks or water-saving fixtures.
What to have ready
Missing one item is rarely a reason to wait - start now.
- Water bill and any shutoff notice
- Photo ID
- Proof of income
- Proof of benefits (Medicaid, SSI) if applicable
- Plumber's receipt for leak repairs, for adjustments
- Medical documentation, if claiming protection
What happens after you apply
How it compares
Similar programmes, and which one fits which need.
| Programme | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Water utility assistance fund | One-off help with past-due bills | Customers in hardship |
| Low-income water rate | Ongoing discount | Low-income or senior customers |
| Leak adjustment | Credit for leak-caused bills | Sudden high bills |
| Charity help via 211 | Local one-off assistance | When utility funds are limited |
Real situations
How this plays out for people in common circumstances.
Huge bill from a hidden leak
A homeowner gets a bill several times the usual after a toilet leak.
She fixes the leak and asks the utility for a leak adjustment with the plumber's receipt.
Behind after job loss
A family is three months behind on water.
The utility sets up a payment plan and the community action agency pays part.
Landlord not paying water
Tenants get notices because the landlord did not pay.
They contact the utility and legal aid; some places let tenants pay to maintain service.
Senior on fixed income
A retiree struggles with rising water rates.
She enrols in the city's senior discount.
What people miss
True, rarely explained, and it changes the outcome.
Leak adjustments are common
Ask.
Many cities have senior discounts
Check.
Payment plans are usually available
Ask.
Some places protect children and medical needs
Ask about shutoff rules.
LIHWAP ended
Look for local help instead.
Common reasons people get stuck
Ignoring the notice
Call before the shutoff date.
Not fixing the leak first
Adjustments often require repair.
Searching only for federal programmes
Help is local.
Not asking about discounts
They may be unadvertised.
Missing plan payments
Leads to shutoff.
How it differs by state
Water assistance is almost entirely local. Some states regulate private water companies with shutoff protections; municipal utilities set their own rules. A few states fund water affordability programmes.
Key terms explained
The words on forms and letters, in plain English.
- Leak adjustment
- A credit some utilities give for part of a high bill caused by a leak you have repaired.
- Customer assistance programme (CAP)
- A utility-run programme offering discounts or one-time help to low-income customers.
- LIHWAP
- The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, a temporary federal programme that has ended.
- Service line
- The pipe between the water main and your home; owners are often responsible for leaks on their side.
- Lien
- In some areas, unpaid water bills can become a lien on the property for homeowners.
- Shutoff moratorium
- A rule temporarily banning water disconnections, for example during heat waves.
Questions people ask
Where can I get help paying my water bill?
Is there a federal program for water bills?
Can my water be shut off for non-payment?
Can I get a payment plan for my water bill?
What is a leak adjustment?
Are there water discounts for seniors?
Can a payment plan help with my water bill?
What if my landlord does not pay the water bill?
Can water be shut off if I have children?
Can I get help with a sewer bill?
How do I lower my water bill?
Can a charity pay my water bill?
Can unpaid water bills affect my home?
Who is responsible for a leak on the service line?
Are there water discounts for people on Medicaid or SSI?
Can I get help with a water bill if water is included in my rent?
Can my landlord pass a water bill on to me?
Numbers to call
Free lines. We are not affiliated with any of them.
Official sources
Current figures and applications live here.