Grant funds available for water bills

LIHU‘E — The county Department of Water alerts customers that federal grant funds are available to assist with past-due bill payments through the County of Kaua‘i Coronavirus Rent and Utilities Assistance Relief Program. Online applications for payment assistance are being taken now at kauairenthelp.com.

Customers with past-due accounts are encouraged to apply for bill-payment assistance through this program. DOW has not charged a late-payment fee on past-due accounts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the waiver may be ending soon. “This is an excellent opportunity for residents to receive help to pay for essential services like water, at no cost to them,” said Mark Knoff, DOW’s interim manager and chief engineer.

“We’re all in this together, and our staff is readily available to provide customers with the billing documents needed to complete their applications online.”

DOW customers who meet the minimum requirements of this relief program will be asked to provide copies of past-due bills. To request a copy of water bills, email DOW at billing@kauaiwater.org or call Billing Services at 808-245-5442. To learn more about eligibility requirements or to apply for the program, visit kauairenthelp.com, email rent@kgefcu.org or call 808-482-3777.