The Washington City Council recently approved an agreement for a low-income household water assistance program.

The program offered by Hawkeye Area Community Action Program helps pay utility deposits for new services, diversion fees, any repairs/replacements of water systems or equipment, and costs to individually-owned water systems like wells. Those eligible for the program must be under income maximums, demonstrate legal U.S. status, must demonstrate a water burden and currently be experiencing a water crisis. Council Member Danielle Pettit-Majewski asked how the public would be informed of this assistance, and Mayor Jaron Rosien suggested that it be published in the city newsletter, and that the city office staff be educated on the program so they can inform residents who are having difficulty paying their water bill.