Mayor Adams Extends Successful Water Bill Debt Forgiveness Program That Saved New Yorkers $12 Million Already, Brought NYC More Than $80 Million

May 1, 2023

Watch a recording of this announcment on YouTube

Program Helped 86,000 Customers Save Money; Low-Income Homeowners Saved $4.2 Million in Credits

DEP Begins Initiating Enforcement Actions, Including Possible Shutoffs

NEW YORK–New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala today announced New York City is extending the successful water bill amnesty program announced in January for an additional month—through May 31, 2023—to help New Yorkers save money while also clearing debt. The limited-time program—initially scheduled to last just 90 days—has already brought in more than $80 million from delinquent accounts and has helped New York customers clear their debts, saving them $12 million in interest so far. Of the nearly 200,000 customers with a late water bill, approximately 86,000—more than 40 percent—participated and saved money. To date, DEP has also granted low-income homeowners a total of $4.2 million in billing credits as part of the program.

Read the full Mayoral Press Release.