New EWSU Program Provides Bill Relief and Repairs to Families in Evansville

On July 15^thEvansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) launched an enhanced Bill Assistance Program in partnership with Memorial Community Development Corporation (MCDC) to help customers manage high water bills by addressing root causes and offering financial relief. Qualifying customers can choose between up to $1,000 in plumbing repairs through the Leak Repair Program or a $30 monthly credit on their water bill through the Bill Relief Program.

The Leak Repair Program aims to reduce water usage by providing professional repairs or updates to household water systems, such as installing water-efficient toilets and plumbing fixtures. These repairs should reduce the monthly costs of water. Customers can also opt for the Bill Relief Credit, which will increase from $10 to $30 per month. This will result in annual savings of about $360.

Current recipients of the Bill Relief credit have until the end of August to switch to the Leak Repair Program.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Leak Repair Program, EWSU City residential customers must have active water service and meet low-income guidelines set by HUD. For the Bill Relief Program, customers need an annual household income of $50,000 or less.

Program Application

To apply for the Leak Repair Program, customers should visit ewsu.com/leakrepair and apply. EWSU will confirm receipt and forward the application to MCDC, which will review financial eligibility and arrange a home assessment with a certified plumber. If repairs exceed the $1,000 limit, MCDC will refer customers to other community repair programs.

For the Bill Relief Program, customers can apply at ewsu.com/billrelief. EWSU will notify applicants of their approval status via email.

Program Funding

This initiative is funded by $4 million from the American Rescue Plan allocated by the City of Evansville in 2022. The funds aim to provide direct relief to income-qualified customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the Leak Repair and Bill Relief programs will continue until the end of 2026 or until funds are exhausted.

Since the Bill Relief Program’s launch in 2022, around 3,000 applications have been received, yet EWSU estimates that over 20,000 households might qualify. For more information, visit ewsu.com/CustomerSupport.