As pandemic restrictions begin to ease in California, a race is on to get money in place to help with massive and growing household water debt before the statewide moratorium on shutoffs for non-payment is lifted.
Some observers are looking at June 15, when Gov. Newsom said he’ll lift the state’s mask mandate, as a potential date for release from other COVID-19 mandates, including the water shutoff moratorium.
Imperial Irrigation District power customers with certain past due debts will be automatically enrolled in a new mandatory payment plan starting Wednesday, and power shut-offs are set to resume for customers who do not fulfill their financial obligations.
The plan, approved by the Board of Directors last month, affects past due customers who owed more than $50 as of Dec. 31, 2020.
House Democrats’ new economic rescue plan includes $1.5 billion to help low-income households cover their water bills and a moratorium on utility service shutoffs for any entity receiving federal relief funds, but they omitted any measures to address climate change or boost clean energy that had been sought by green groups.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
