Danbury To Help Folks With Water/Sewer Bills

DANBURY, CT — City residents struggling or behind on their water and sewer bills may have some help coming their way.

The Danbury City Council voted unanimously June 7 to authorize Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito to administer on behalf of the city its participation in the Connecticut Department of Social Service's "Low Income Household Water Assistance Program."

The vote allows Esposito to apply for any funding and sign any contracts or documents relative to the program and allows those potentially in need up to $1,000 to help out.

In a written memo to the city council read into the record earlier this month, Esposito explained why he wanted the council to approve the measure.

"Not only will we help our residents, we will help ensure overdue water and sewer bills owed to the city are paid," wrote Esposito.

According to Esposito, the state program is actually funded via federal dollars and qualifying water bill households must be at or below 60 percent of the state's median income.

The median household income in Connecticut, according to U.S. Census Bureau 2020 numbers, is $79,855, so a qualifying household income of $47,913 or less could qualify.

In Danbury's case, the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut would work with the city in identifying potential qualifying customers of the city's water and sewer department.

If approved, a customer could get up to $1,000 toward bill relief, with those having their services shut off or about to be shut off receiving first priority, according to Danbury Tax Collector Scott Ferguson.

Ferguson was briefly questioned by Danbury Councilman Benjamin Chianese of the 6th Ward, who sought more clarification of the water relief program.

He noted his water bill per quarter was about $15 or $16, meaning someone needing $1,000 in relief had, likely, been in arrears for quite a while.

"I wasn't aware that people were so far behind on their water bills. You're talking quite a few years of being behind," Chianese said.

Ferguson explained $1,000 was the maximum amount, not a blanket grant for aide.

He also said he did not know of any Danbury water and sewer customers who were that far behind on their bills or have had their services shut off.

This program, essentially, sets up a framework for the city to aid water customers should it be needed.

"Anybody who is disconnected would be taken care of first," Ferguson said.

For more information on the state's Low Income Water Assistance Program, visit this link.

For the Danbury City Council meeting minutes June 7, visit this link.

To watch the Danbury City Council discuss this measure, visit this link.