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<p>PHILADELPHIA (AP) &#8212; The Philadelphia Water Department is launching a new program next month to provide discounted service to low-income families.</p><p>Philly.com says the city expects about 50,000 households to participate, about five times as many as the city&#8217;s current program for low-income families. Anyone making less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level qualifies. That&#8217;s about $36,900 for a family of four.</p><p>Those folks would be charged 2 to 4 percent of their household income and not billed on how much water they use.</p><p>The difference in the new program is that residents don&#8217;t have to fall behind on their water payments to qualify. The low payments are meant to keep them from falling behind in the first place.</p><p>About 40 percent of the city&#8217;s customers are delinquent, owing a total of $262 million.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Associated Press</p></bylineMeta></div>

Philadelphia launching expanded, improved low-income water program