The City of Evansville has announced a public-partnership to help residents pay for plumbing repairs connected to the city’s water meter upgrades.
The city is partnering with Johnson Controls and the Community Action Program of Evansville to provide financial assistance for low-income residents who need expensive plumbing work done before receiving a new smart meter.
Johnson Controls is contributing an initial $25,000, and will provide another $25,000 later on.
CAPE will coordinate the assistance. The agency’s Gale Brocksmith says residents making 80-percent or less of the area’s median income will qualify.
Brocksmith says the agency will “play it by ear” as to how much money each resident may receive.
The Water and Sewer Utility says so far, just 20 households have been found to have water leaks between the city meters and their homes, where residents are responsible for the upkeep. Those repairs can be very costly.