The Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority is beginning to terminate water service for nonpayment again after the board voted to end the shut-off moratorium beginning on March 31, 2021. The shut-off moratorium provided protections to people unable to afford their water bill because of lost income, ensuring that they would have water service even if they had a delinquent account.

The Authority should extend the moratorium for low-income customers, much like at the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority where the moratorium is slated to continue for those at or below 300% of the federal poverty limit. Federal assistance will be made available to help customers pay debts to utility companies, but that funding is not available yet. Learn more about federal assistance available for both rents and utilities. Applications are made through Action Housing here.

We need to let the Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority know that people still need protections, and the pandemic isn’t over. Take action today by contacting the Authority to demand:

• An extension of the moratorium for low income customers for the duration of the pandemic, and a commitment to avoid shut-offs while customers wait for utility help they need

• The implementation of a customer assistance program - a bill discount program, a winter moratorium on water shut-offs, and a hardship grant fund - that could reduce the burden of utility bills for enrolled customers

The Our Water Campaign is a local campaign fighting for safe, affordable, public water in Allegheny County. We want sustainable solutions for drinking water and stormwater that protect communities and provide benefits to our neighborhoods. (Check out what we were able to get accomplished at PWSA here.)

Our organizing work has impacted numerous programs at the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in the past, including the lead service line replacement program, bolstering customer assistance programs, stormwater management, and more. We need your support to make positive changes at the Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority, too. Join the campaign to get involved in your water future! Reach out to Madeline (madeline@pittsburghunited.org) to learn more.