Mayor Ras Baraka announced a partnership Aug. 1 between the City of Newark and Promise to offer customers an easy way to set up plans for past-due water and sewer utilities charges.

The new program is immediately available to residents who owe money on their accounts.

“Many residents have been impacted by COVID-19 and the rising costs of living caused by inflation,” said Baraka. “We are working to help residents who are falling behind and the PromisePay program will offer affordable water payment options to prevent them from facing service shutoff.

“If successful, we see this pilot program becoming a long-term option for residents in need, providing them with a safety net,” he said.

Promise is a company that helps simplify government debt while helping people pay their bills. The PromisePay Portal will offer the opportunity to select a payment plan option, set up automatic payments, and provide contact information for payment reminders and other notifications through text messaging.

“We are proud that the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities team has been able to assist our residents with this important program,” said Water and Sewer Utilities Director Kareem Adeem. “We are living in challenging times and our residents need relief. This program is a creative response to these challenges.”

Promise has partnered with other cities, such as Louisville, Cincinnati and Richmond, on similar programs.

“We are excited to partner with City of Newark Mayor Baraka and the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities Director Adeem t make sure that city residents continue to have access to water,” said Promise Founder and CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins. “Through our partnership, residents will use PromisePay to have flexible, accessible options to keep their water on. We look forward to the good we can do for Newark’s residents in partnership with these visionary leaders.”

To learn more about the program, visit: http://waterandsewer.newarknj.gov/promisepay.