Valley Water provides $1 million to fund the Water Rate Assistance Program

February 11, 2026

Valley Water has announced it will provide a total of $1 million in community relief funds to continue supporting the Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP) over the next year. Valley Water has partnered with Sacred Heart Community Service to administer the program, which helps thousands of income-eligible households in Santa Clara County manage their water bills and maintain access to safe, reliable water.

Since its launch in 2021, WRAP has helped almost 5,000 income-eligible households prevent water service disconnections or restore service by providing direct assistance for water costs. Originally launched to address hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has continued to serve as a valuable resource as families face inflation and other ongoing economic challenges.

“No family should have to worry about losing access to safe, clean water,” said Tony Estremera, Valley Water Board Chair. “By supporting WRAP, we are strengthening the resilience of our community and making sure water remains affordable for those most in need.”

Through this partnership, Valley Water and Sacred Heart have worked together to distribute funds as quickly and efficiently as possible, ensuring the program reaches the most vulnerable households.

“The Water Rate Assistance Program, in partnership with Sacred Heart Community Service, is a vital resource in addressing the urgent need to ensure that working families and vulnerable communities in Santa Clara County have access to safe, clean, and reliable water,” said Lorena Sánchez-Castañeda, Sacred Heart Community Service’s Energy Director. “We are proud to partner with Valley Water to respond, collaborate, and provide relief, resources, and conservation education to income eligible households in Santa Clara County.”

Learn more about the program at valleywater.org/WRAP.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 285 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.