Water Assistance Program

The Water Assistance Program relies on donations from other utility customers to help those in financial hardship with their Town of Hillsborough utility bills.

The program is administered through a partnership between the town and Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM), a local nonprofit organization that helps people in need get back on their feet. Donating is quick and easy, and contributions are tax-deductible.

About 100 utility accounts with the Town of Hillsborough are overdue each month. While paying late is a chronic problem for some customers, others find them themselves in difficulty for the first time and merely need a little one-time assistance.

Although most bills do get paid, significant delays and service disconnections often occur. The time spent collecting these bills and the lost interest revenue from town accounts cost all of us.

Citizens may make a one-time donation to the fund or monthly pledges of up to $5, which can be added to their water bills.

Who Is Eligible for the Water Assistance Program?

Eligible candidates must be recommended by the Orange County Department of Social Services or a local church.

To receive help with utility bills:
Contact the Orange County Department of Social Services at (919) 245-2800.

How to Help

The town accepts one-time donations or regular donations from utility customers and passes all the money to Orange Congregations in Mission. The money can be used only for a Town of Hillsborough utility bill.

To make a one-time contribution:
Include the donation with your next utility payment or mail it separately to:

Town of Hillsborough Finance Department
PO Box 429
Hillsborough, NC 27278

To contribute monthly with your utility payment:
Call (919) 732-2104 Ext. 225 or send a note with your next payment. Ask us to set up a recurring donation of as little as $1 a month or $2, $3, $4 or $5. You choose the amount.

Donations are tax deductible:
If you itemize deductions for your state and federal income taxes, you may deduct your Water Assistance Program donations. Keep your utility bill statements to document donations or call us after the end of the calendar year. We’ll send a statement totaling your donations for the calendar year. On your tax returns, list the Town of Hillsborough as the recipient of the donation.