Governor Moore Announces $20 Million to Support Marylanders with COVID-19 Water Bill Debt

ANNAPOLI​​S, 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 CO​​VID-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 condit​​ion 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 re​lieve 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 h​​as been made available from Maryland’s State and Local Fiscal Relief Fund award under the American Rescue Plan Act.

For more inform​​ation on the Water Assistance Program, please visit the Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s website.

Maryland Water As​​sistance Relief Program