Along with rising inflation, Californians are also seeing their water bills increase as well, partially driven by the ongoing drought. As a result, many San Diegans are behind on their water bills, some owing more than three thousand dollars. Help is available, through a federal program that is offering families a way to pay some or all of their outstanding bill before their water is shut off. "It's a basic need but I feel it is a basic human right," said Valerie Hash, program manager at the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty, a non-profit headquartered in Chula Vista that serves San Diego County. "You need to have running water in your home." With the statewide moratorium on water shut-offs - which was enacted during the height of the pandemic - now at an end, more and more families with delinquent water bills are facing the possibility of having their water turned off. "With the state of the economy, inflation, gas prices, don't be ashamed to come and reach out," Hash told CBS 8. "We are here to help." MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/federal-program-helps-californians-on-their-water-bills/509-9101c762-e0a4-41ea-ae1c-14b489f2ef95