Frequently Asked Questions

The California Water Arrearage Payment Program is a program that will be administered by the State Water Resources Control Board and utilizes funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to make direct payments to community water systems to cover customer arrearages, or past due bills, resulting during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

No. City staff are reviewing the state guidelines of these programs and determining which customers are eligible and will apply to the state of California to receive funding on your behalf.

If staff determines your account is eligible for California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (CWWAPP), we will credit your account and notify you by mail of the amount we are able to credit based on the funding we receive from the state of California. If you still have a remaining balance after your account has been credited, we will offer you a payment plan.

The City has waived any late fees or interest associated with your bill that you otherwise would have been charged.

No, it will not. The CWWAPP program 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.

No. This program only covers past-due amounts that remain unpaid at the time a water system receives program funding.

The City has temporarily suspended all late fees and service disconnections for utility customers since March 2020.

The CWWAPP program provides consumer protections. If you're eligible for the program, once the City applies funds to your account, a shutoff cannot occur in the following 90 days. It is still your responsibility to pay your bill after that. Remember: A customer shutoff is a last resort measure. If you still have trouble paying your bills after CWWAPP assistance, we can arrange a payment plan for you.

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 federal and state funding received. The City will apply on your behalf for CWWAPP assistance per the guidance and qualification received from the state.

The law(s) creating the CWWAPP program requires our utility to offer a payment plan that will help customers pay down your remaining balance.

You may also be eligible for other state and local assistance programs, such as the state's COVID-19 Rental Relief Program (for renters) and the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) if you meet income eligibility requirements. You will, however, need to apply for the LIHWAP and/or the COVID-19 Rental Relief Program assistance programs.

Yes. If you are a commercial Escondido customer, you may be eligible for CWWAPP assistance. We will determine your eligibility based on the program guidelines.

No. CWWAPP only pay for the eligible water (and wastewater, if funding is available) portion of your bill. The state did not establish a program for trash services. You are still responsible for those charges.

You may also be eligible for other state and local assistance programs, such as the state's COVID-19 Rental Relief Program (for renters) and the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) if you meet income eligibility requirements. You will, however, need to apply for the LIHWAP and/or the COVID-19 Rental Relief Program assistance programs.

The state approved the CWWAPP programs only for residential and commercial customers who were at least 60 days behind on their bill at the end of the billing period as of June 15, 2021. Under the state program, if you are current on your bill or are less than 60 days past due, your account does not qualify for these programs. We are required to implement the state's laws as they are written.