Our Arrearage Forgiveness Program is designed to help income-eligible customers eliminate their past-due balances through payment of their monthly current charges.
Program Improvements
In the interest of better serving our customers, Pittsburgh Water announced a number of improvements to our Arrearage Forgiveness Program, effective September 1, 2026. These details of the improved program are as follows:
| Previous Arrearage Forgiveness Program | Improved Arrearage Forgiveness Program |
| Residential customers who are ≤ 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible. | Residential customers who are ≤ 200% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible. |
| Active payment plan. | No requirement to pay past-due charges, therefore no payment plan. |
| Existing enrollees. | Existing enrollees and Bill Discount participants enrolled automatically with option to opt-out of the program. |
| $40 credit for each on-time payment of installment amount and current charges. | 1/24th of past-due charges waived for each on-time payment of current charges. |
| Payment plan box on the top right of each monthly bill while the plan is active. | Arrearage Forgiveness Program bill message on the front right of each bill during the 24 months of the program. |
Participation Guidelines
Residential customers at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Level with past due balances (arrearages) who remain up-to-date on their current charges each month are eligible to participate in our improved Arrearage Forgiveness Program.
Customers already participating in our existing Arrearage Forgiveness Program and existing Bill Discount participants with arrears not already enrolled in the Arrearage Forgiveness Program will be automatically enrolled in the new Arrearage Forgiveness Program, but given the option to remove themselves if they choose.
How the Program Works
Eligible participants will have their pre-existing billed charges in arrears frozen and forgiven in monthly increments over a 24 month period. This means with each on-time payment of your monthly current charges, 1/24th of your past-due balance will be forgiven. This provides the opportunity for your past-due amount in arrears to be completely forgiven over the course of 24 months.
Arrearage Forgiveness Program participants who fail to make on-time payments of current charges, however, may be subject to removal from the Program.
Full details of the program's guidelines can be found in our Water Tariff.
How to Determine Your Enrollment Status
Enrolled participants should expect to see the message to the right included on their monthly bill. The message reminds customers about their participation in the Arrearage Forgiveness Program and the expectation of on-time monthly payments required to stay enrolled.
Questions About Participation or Eligibility?
Please call our PGH2O Cares Team at 412-255-2457 and a representative will be happy to assist!