California Water & Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (CWWAPP)
Updates
All payments made under the Original Water and Wastewater Arrearage Program have been completed and posted to customer accounts for service dates including March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021.
On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed a bill to create the Extended Water & Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program and extend the COVID Relief Period to December 31, 2022. Eligible customers will receive additional information and be notified in early 2024.
Background
In 2022, Hayward Water System was awarded one-time financial relief on behalf of customers who struggled to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding was made available through the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (CWWAPP), which was offered by the State Water Resources Control Board and funded by the federal American Recue Plan Act.
Residential and commercial customers with outstanding bills for service dates between March 4, 2020 and June 15, 2021 were eligible to receive funds through CWWAPP. In February 2022 and June 2022, the City received $1,853,487 for drinking water arrearages and $744,389 for wastewater arrearages to credit customers for the period of March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021.
In 2024, Hayward Water System was awarded $1,514,975.36 through CWWAPP for the Extended Water & Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program.
Customers do not need to apply for this program
Based on guidance, qualifications, and availability of funds received from the State, the Hayward Water System determined eligibility and applied on behalf of eligible customers. Each eligible account was automatically credited based on the eligible amount owed and funding available from the State.
Customers will receive a notification letter by mail should their account be credited
Water and/or wastewater customers with eligible overdue balances received notification by mail confirming the amount to be posted to their account and their remaining outstanding balance.
All water and wastewater credits have been posted to customer accounts
On March 9, 2022, credits for eligible water bills were posted to customer accounts, and on June 30, 2022, credits for eligible sewer bills were posted to customer accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for CWWAPP?
No. Hayward Water System staff reviewed the State guidelines to determine which customers were eligible and applied to the State of California to receive funding on their behalf. If the Hayward Water System determined your account was eligible for CWWAPP, we credited your account and you will receive a notice by mail of the credited amount.
I received CWWAPP assistance, but it didn't cover my entire balance. What should I do?
If you need additional assistance paying down any remaining water debt, you may also be eligible for other City, State, or Federal assistance programs.
- The City is offering payment arrangement plans to customers with a remaining balance after the CWWAPP credit has been applied to their account. Contact Hayward Water System Customer Service at 510-583-4600 or email HSS@hayward-ca.gov to establish a payment arrangement.
- The City offers low-income households discounts and waivers on certain garbage, water, and sewer rates. Download an application or call the City's Revenue Division for more information at (510) 583-4600.
There are charges on my bill for water, wastewater, and emergency services facilities tax (excise tax). Will CWWAPP pay all of it?
No. Only eligible balances for water and wastewater (sewer) are approved to be credited under this program. Charges that are not for water and wastewater, such as excise tax charges, are not covered by CWWAPP.
What are the City's policies and guidelines for the establishement of payment arrangements and discontinuation of residential water service for non-payment of charges?
