OCT. 21, 2025 – Local federal workers furloughed during the ongoing government shutdown will be allowed to defer water bill payments without penalty while they are out of work, Water Authority administrators announced today.

“We are joining other utilities in doing what we can to ease the financial stress on federal employees affected by the shutdown,” said Klarissa Peña, Albuquerque City Councilor and chair of the Water Authority’s governing board. “It’s the right thing to do.”

To qualify for payment deferral, furloughed employees must present their furlough letter at the Water Authority’s customer service/payment center at 1441 Mission Ave. NE. There will be no late fees or shutoffs for qualifying furloughed workers, who will be allowed to “catch up” on their payments when the shutdown ends.

For more information, furloughed federal employees can call 505-842-WATR (9287) and press “0” to speak to a customer service representative.