Late last week, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Jason W. Mitchell, Ed.D., announced that DPW had been selected to receive a $15.87 million grant from the state’s Water Assistance Relief Program, which provides support to Maryland residents with water bill debt related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the press release:

“This much-needed grant funding will provide assistance to Baltimore residents facing water bill debt due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “The City of Baltimore thanks Governor Wes Moore and his Administration for recognizing the lingering financial effects the pandemic has had on many Baltimore City residents and residents throughout the state who are struggling to recover.”

“This is a great win for Baltimore residents and undersc.@BaltCityHalores the City’s efforts to ensure that water costs remain affordable for our residents,” said DPW Director Mitchell. “I especially want to thank DPW employees for championing this effort on behalf of the residents that we serve.”

DPW was one of 19 water systems throughout the state that applied for and were awarded funding from the Maryland Water Assistance Relief Program. This funding has been made available from Maryland’s State and Local Fiscal Relief Fund award under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Currently, all Baltimore City residential customers are eligible to receive a one-time 5 percent discount when signing up for paperless billing. Residents must sign up by Wednesday, May 31, 2023 to receive the discount.