Pittsburgh Water Launches New 24 Month Debt Forgiveness Plan Making It Easier for Eligible Customers to Get Back on Track

Improved Arrearage Forgiveness Program allows eligible customers to have past-due charges forgiven over 24 months while focusing on current monthly bills.
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September 9, 2026

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh Water is making it easier for income-eligible customers to get back on track through significant improvements to its Arrearage Forgiveness Program.

The improved program, which took effect September 1, allows eligible customers to have their existing past-due balance forgiven over 24 months by paying their current monthly charges. Each month a customer makes the required current payment, one twenty-fourth of their past-due balance is forgiven. Customers who successfully complete the program can have their entire past-due balance eliminated.

The program removes the previous requirement for customers to make payments toward both their current charges and a payment plan for their past-due balance, reducing the monthly financial burden for households working to get back on track.

“We know that families in our service area sometimes need a little extra help to balance the financial pressures they face,” said Pittsburgh Water CEO Will Pickering. “This program gives our customers a more manageable way to move beyond past-due bills and focus on what they owe today. We’re committed to helping the people we serve and making sure our assistance programs work for the families who need them.”

The program is now available to residential customers living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Existing Arrearage Forgiveness Program participants were transitioned to the enhanced program on September 1. Customers enrolled in Pittsburgh Water’s Bill Discount Program who have eligible past-due balances were also automatically enrolled.

Through the enhanced program, eligible customers can:

  • Focus on their current bills. Customers no longer have to simultaneously make payments toward a separate payment plan for their past-due balance.
  • Eliminate past-due charges over two years. One twenty-fourth of the eligible balance is forgiven with each qualifying monthly payment, with any remaining eligible balance forgiven after 24 months.
  • Avoid additional interest. Pittsburgh Water does not assess late charges to unpaid bills while a customer is active in the program.
  • Catch up after a missed payment. Customers who miss a current-charge payment have an opportunity to make catch-up payments and remain in the program.

“Our low income advocacy partners and our dedicated Customer Service team have worked closely together to make this enhanced program a reality,” said Julie Mechling, Director of Customer Service for Pittsburgh Water. “By simplifying the path to forgiveness, we’re helping customers focus on what matters most—maintaining essential services without overwhelming monthly payments.”

The improvements are part of Pittsburgh Water’s broader suite of Customer Assistance Programs, which provide several forms of support to help income-qualified customers manage their water, wastewater, and stormwater bills.

Customers who believe they may qualify or have questions about enrollment can visit www.pgh2o.com/forgiveness or contact Pittsburgh Water Customer Service at (412) 255-2423 and select Option 5.

For more information about Pittsburgh Water’s Customer Assistance Programs, visit www.pgh2o.com/cap.