Pittsburgh, PA — Neighbors helping neighbors is engrained in the fabric of our community. Pittsburgh is a place where the promise of a farkleberry cookie inspires many to give to Children’s Hospital, where Snow Angels answer the call and help clear walkways for seniors, and where Pittsburghers always donate toys and coats and turkeys to help other families through a difficult time. Pittsburgh is a city of helpers, especially during these uncertain times, and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is proud to provide an additional way where we can help one another.  

No one should have to choose between paying their water bill and other essential expenses. Pittsburgh residents can now contribute to PWSA’s Hardship Grant Program, which directly benefits local families who are struggling to pay for basic water services. 

Since 2018, the Hardship Grant Program has helped more than 370 Pittsburgh households maintain essential water services. The grant program was established to provide income-eligible customers with annual cash assistance to put towards their monthly water bill. We have currently distributed more than $91,000 through the program and award an average household grant of $285. 

Many more Pittsburgh families are eligible for the Hardship Grant Program and our other customer assistance programs. With current funding, we estimate that 1,183 households could benefit from the Hardship Grant Program. Pending approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), we are planning to implement an expanded customer assistance outreach program in the new year to increase enrollment in our programs and help customers reduce their bills.

As PWSA works to make necessary improvements to our water and sewer infrastructure, customer protections and ensuring customers can afford water service are priority issues. Our Hardship Grant Program can make a tremendous difference in the lives of many of our customers while reflecting Pittsburgh’s values of helping one another. 

“We know this year has been particularly hard for many of our friends and neighbors,” said PWSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Will Pickering. “We never want our customers to have to decide between water and other essential expenses. If you are thinking about making charitable donations this year, we hope you will consider helping another Pittsburgh family access one of the most basic needs: water.”

Your donation to the Hardship Grant Program will be distributed in the form of financial aid to our income-eligible customers receiving water services. Grants are dispersed on a first come, first served basis to eligible families with a gross household income that is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This means that a family of four making $39,300 qualifies for assistance.