Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2020

Media Contact:
David Zielonka | Manager, Media and Communications
(202) 981-3786 | dzielonka@nacwa.org   

Coronavirus Impacting Clean Water Agencies; Local Utilities and Ratepayers Need Assistance

Statement from NACWA Emphasizes Need for Stimulus Bill to Reach Local Utilities as they Provide Essential Services During Pandemic

(Washington, DC) – While Congress debates specifics of stimulus packages, public clean water utilities continue to provide essential clean water services to their communities around the country, despite the  financial challenges  that they will incur due to falling revenue from declines in usage from commercial and industrial users, restoring service to delinquent rate-payers who cannot afford their bills, and halting shut-offs for non-payment. The public clean water sector urges Congress to include $12.5 billion in aid for these utilities as part of the next stimulus bill.

Adam Krantz, NACWA’s Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement:

“As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 response, the nation’s public clean water agencies are at the front lines of ensuring Americans have reliable, critical clean water services.  Since the threat of the pandemic emerged, utilities have been reviewing and implementing their emergency plans to ensure continuity of operations.

“Utilities around the country are also suspending water shut-offs and restoring connections for water and wastewater service to delinquent accounts, accepting a financial loss in restoring those accounts because of the critical role sanitation plays in getting a handle on the coronavirus.

“At the same time, utilities are prioritizing keeping their workforce – many of which are essential positions that cannot be performed remotely – safe and protected. And, they are working to ensure they have the resources in place to continue operating for however long the pandemic may last.

“The impacts of coronavirus for clean water agencies will be enormous. Strains on utilities include:

• Lost revenue from households less able to pay their bills, and from the sudden drop-off in industrial and business water demand
  • NACWA conservatively estimates the impact to clean water utilities nationwide of lost revenues due to coronavirus at $12.5 Billion. This is a low-end estimate, assuming an average loss of revenue of 20% which is well within the range of what individual utilities are already projecting. Some utilities are anticipating closer to a 30% or 40% loss in revenue. This estimate is based on the substantial historical utility financial data NACWA has on file through its Financial Survey and recent reports from NACWA members on the decrease in usage they are observing in their systems over the last few weeks.
• The cost of writing off customer debt owed to the utility and reinstating service. Without federal assistance, the loss of revenue from forgiving customer debts and providing services without payment during the pandemic will ultimately be passed on to water customers in subsequent years and lead to future rate increases.
  • NACWA estimates the impact to clean water utilities nationwide of forgiving outstanding customer debt and ensuring all households retain clean water services at $336 Million. This is a conservative estimate, based on normal-year levels of arrears on clean water agency books. A single utility member anticipates a $65 million loss in revenue for the year if they don’t use shut offs, underscoring the potential impact to individual communities.
• These costs come in addition to emergency operational costs that utilities will undoubtedly incur throughout the duration of the pandemic.

“Clean water agencies provide life-sustaining services that protect public health and will work through this crisis alongside other first responders in our communities. Utilities are closely tracking CDC and EPA guidance, and current disinfection conditions in treatment plants are expected to be sufficient to protect public health. Federal assistance targeted to addressing the burden on ratepayers and making utilities whole for doing their part to ease the pandemic – maintaining and restoring access to services – is critically needed at this time.”

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About NACWA

For nearly 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory, legal and communications advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for the public clean water sector and helps advance policies to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all.  Our vision is to advance sustainable and responsible policy initiatives that help to shape a strong and sustainable clean water future. For more information, visit us at www.nacwa.org.