BUFFALO (WBEN) - Mayor Byron Brown announced Friday morning the expansion of Buffalo's Water and Sewer Amnesty Program, which will be funded with $13 million from the city's direct American Rescue Plan allocation.
The program will provide residents whose water or sewer bills are two quarters past due or $300 in arrears with debt forgiveness for the principle amount due, as well as any interest or fees.
"Our estimates indicate that this will assist over 30,000 people in the City of Buffalo with their water and sewer bills," said Brown.
The program was set to expire at the end of this month.
Eligible residents will then be enrolled in Buffalo Water's affordability program, which will help lower payments going forward.
"We continue our work to develop and implement equitable solutions to address the needs of our community," said OJ McFoy, chair of the Buffalo Water Board and general manager of the Buffalo Sewer Authority.
"We are very pleased to report today that in the City of Buffalo, my administration, working with the members of the City Council, will not be turning off water in the future," Brown added. "That will not happen again in the City of Buffalo."
McFoy said the city is going to be working on automatic enrollment in the program for those who are struggling to keep up with their water or sewer bills, but right now, McFoy urges residents to call 847-1065 to be enrolled.
