Water Affordability for All

A well-designed water assistance program does more than just help families pay their bills—it strengthens the economy by stabilizing water systems and ensuring utilities can continue providing safe, clean, and reliable water. By delivering consistent financial support, such a program helps prevent service disruptions, allows utilities to recover revenue, and enables long-term investment in infrastructure—all of which contribute to economic stability and public health.

Sufficient funding must include direct assistance for low-income households and support for water systems. This means investing in technical assistance, administrative capacity, and outreach to ensure utilities of all sizes can efficiently implement the program and connect with the communities they serve. While no assistance program can meet every need, a well-structured and adequately resourced water assistance program will help millions of Americans maintain access to affordable water while providing utilities with the financial certainty they need to continue operations and infrastructure improvements.

Overarching Goals: 

• Boost and streamline enrollment through technology data sharing, automatic processes, multiple eligibility pathways, and efficient application methods;  

• Distribute funding fairly across all states and to utilities of all sizes to ensure broad program impact;     

• Establish clear parameters on water shutoffs to protect vulnerable households while recognizing the operational needs of utilities. If assistance funding is inadequate, utilities may face financial strain, and in some cases, disconnection may remain the only available enforcement tool. 

• Provide robust technical assistance and communications to maximize household participation and ensure effective program implementation. 

Reduce administrative burdens on small water systems and systems with high levels of arrearages to improve access and efficiency.