How to Get Up to $3,000 Back From Pasadena Water and Power After a Leak — The PWP Assistance Program Explained

Published by Pasadena Leak Detection · Updated August 2026 · 6 min read

Most Pasadena homeowners who experience a hidden water leak — whether a slab leak or a hidden pipe leak — and the high PWP bill that comes with it — have no idea they may be entitled to get a significant portion of that excess water charge back. The program exists specifically for this situation, it’s funded every year, and the majority of qualifying homeowners never apply for it.

This guide covers exactly how the Pasadena Water and Power Water Leak Assistance Program works, who qualifies, what documentation you need, and how professional leak detection makes your application stronger.

What Is the PWP Water Leak Assistance Program?

Pasadena Water and Power operates a Water Leak Assistance Program (WLAP) that provides bill credits to residential customers who received an abnormally high water bill as a result of a hidden property leak — one that was not reasonably detectable during normal home maintenance.

The program recognises that homeowners cannot reasonably be expected to know about a leak inside a wall, beneath a concrete slab, or underground in their service line. When a concealed pipe fails and runs for weeks or months before being discovered, the resulting water usage is involuntary. The WLAP provides partial relief for that involuntary usage.

The credit amount is up to 50% of the water charges attributable to the leak, capped at a maximum of $3,000, applied as a credit directly to your PWP account.

Who Qualifies for the PWP Leak Assistance Program?

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the PWP Water Leak Assistance Program

Important Program Details Most Homeowners Don’t Know

The Annual Fund Is Limited

PWP funds the Water Leak Assistance Program at $50,000 per fiscal year, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This is not an unlimited entitlement — it is a fund that can be exhausted before year-end. Apply as soon as possible after your repair is complete. If you’re discovering a leak late in the calendar year, apply immediately rather than waiting for the new year.

The 30-Day Deadline Starts at Discovery, Not Detection

The clock starts when you discover the leak — defined as when you first become aware that a leak exists. If your high water bill arrived in July and you suspected a leak then, your 30-day clock may start from that date rather than the date of formal detection. If there’s any ambiguity about discovery date, apply as early as possible.

Homeowner’s Insurance May Cover Additional Costs

The PWP program covers excess water charges. Your homeowner’s insurance may separately cover the repair cost, water damage remediation, and flooring replacement — these are different claims against different payers. Review your “sudden and accidental water damage” clause and file both claims where applicable. Our detection report supports both.

How Professional Leak Detection Strengthens Your PWP Application

The PWP WLAP specifically requires evidence that the leak was hidden and non-obvious during normal property maintenance. A self-report (“I didn’t know there was a leak”) is weak evidence. A written report from a licensed C-36 plumbing contractor documenting the following is strong evidence:

• Exact leak location (behind wall, beneath slab, underground service line)
• Pipe material and age (galvanized, copper, polybutylene)
• Detection methodology used (acoustic sensors, thermal imaging, pressure testing)
• Evidence that the leak was not visible at the surface during normal inspection
• Estimated leak duration based on water loss calculations and material degradation

Every leak detection we perform in Pasadena includes a written report in this format. It is designed to meet insurance and PWP documentation requirements — because the detection is only valuable if you can use the documentation to recover your costs.