Birmingham Water Works customers that meet income and situational eligibility requirements can receive help through the Help to Others (H20) Foundation, a nonprofit entity that is separate from Birmingham Water Works. The H20 Foundation works to provide financial and plumbing repair assistance to those in the Birmingham area that cannot afford their water and sewer bill, or who may benefit from having repairs made to leaky or faulty plumbing repairs that will result in a lower water and sewer bill. This program is administered by the Salvation Army and funded by generous donations from Birmingham Water Works customers, community partners, and employees.
We’re here to help. Call 205-244-4390 or email [email protected] to get started.
H20 Foundation – How to Receive Help
The Help to Others (H20) Foundation assists eligible water and sewer customers in the greater Birmingham area that are struggling to pay their water and sewer bills, or who would benefit from repairs made to leaky or faulty plumbing that will result in a lower water and sewer bill. This program is administered by the Salvation Army and funded by generous donations from Birmingham Water Works customers, community partners, and employees.
Applicants that meet eligibility requirements can receive up to $500 in assistance once within a 12-month period.
Who is eligible for help?
To qualify for financial assistance, a household must meet both the financial and situational eligibility guidelines outlined below:
1. Income Eligibility Guidelines:
2. Situational Eligibility Guidelines:
A. The bill must be in the applicant's name and household must meet at least one of the following:
⇒ 50 years of age or older
⇒ Currently receiving social security disability income
⇒ Have a documented medical condition that will be seriously aggravated by a lack of water supply to the home. (Subject to verification)
B. Have a current unpaid water and/or sewer bill or have an established need for plumbing repair as a result of a leak on personal property.
C. Have insufficient family or community resources to meet financial obligations to satisfy cost to continue water and/or sewer service or repair(s).
D. Have assurance from Birmingham Water Works that payment will result in restoration/continuation of the water/sewer service to the home.
What charges can the H2O Foundation help with?
The H2O Foundation considers the following charges eligible for payment:
- Charges for water and/or sewer bill, including taxes
- Charges for plumbing repairs
- Deposits to restore service that has been discontinued*
*Deposits to restore service require H2O Foundation Board approval and are subject to income verification and reserve funds available to customer. Payment for deposits will only be considered when the customer cannot pay the deposit, or the water utility or sewer provider will not waive the deposit and making a deposit places an undue hardship on the customer.
Plumbers’ Eligibility
In order for plumbing companies or individual plumbers to be eligible to provide repair services for qualified applicants, they must be licensed master plumbers and at a minimum provide the following insurance information: be properly bonded; maintain a general liability insurance policy with coverage of one million per occurrence with a two million dollar aggregate; maintain an umbrella policy of one million dollars; provide copies of certificates of insurance; and, name the H2O Foundation on said policies as an additional insured.
H2O Foundation – How to Make a Tax Deductible Donation
You can donate to the H2O Foundation by checking the box located on your water bill. The amount you specify will be donated monthly until you specify otherwise. If you would like to make a one-time donation to the H2O Foundation, make check payable to: H2O Foundation, PO Box 12623 Birmingham, AL 35202 or click the donation button and make your payment online. All donations are tax deductible.
