Managing the Water and Wastewater Assistance Programs for Customers During COVID-19

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Chesterfield County Utilities Department provides services to over 119,000 water customers and 101,000 wastewater customers in the county. There were three utility assistance programs that were administered in part or fully by Chesterfield County Utilities Department and with the help of our IST Department. The first program was the CARES Utility Relief Fund, where $151,722 (459 applications) was provided from October 20, 2020, through November 30, 2020, to customers that had past due balances after the March 1, 2020, billing cycle. This program was administered by the local Social Services department in determining the qualifications of the applicant. On December 1, 2021, Chesterfield County Utilities Department was awarded the Municipal Utility Relief Program funds as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This was the second program provided to customers with 4,271 applications and a total of $1,245,548 provided. On February 2022, the Utilities Department was also awarded its third program, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) with 4,164 applications received and in the amount of $1,446,279. All these programs and funding were designed to protect the American people and industries from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. These programs were intended to help customers affected by the pandemic with past due balances on their water and wastewater bills. Chesterfield County Utilities Department’s long-term goal is to provide guidance and assistance to all customers, especially during the height of the pandemic from March 2020 through November 2021. The Utilities Department and our customers consistently work to develop a trusting relationship, but greatly during a time when many of our customers were experiencing hardships while paying their monthly bills and everyday expenses. It is important that our customers know we support them and will assist with their needs to the best of our ability. The $2,843,549 of water and wastewater assistance program funds received by Chesterfield County Utilities Department helped 8,894 families and businesses receive relief for their past due utility bills, bringing these customers peace of mind and assurance that their families and businesses were safe.