PipeER Loan
PipeER is administered by WSSC Federal Credit Union (WSSC FCU) in partnership with WSSC Water under the Water and Sewer Line Pipe Emergency Replacement Loan Program.
PipeER Loan Brochure (English)
PipeER Loan Brochure (Spanish)
What is PipeER?
PipeER is the Water and Sewer Line Replacement Replacement Loan Program. Loans finance the replacement of water and sewer service lines on residential properties. PipeER also covers diagnostic work, like camera inspection, to diagnose pipe issues. Qualified WSSC Water customers are eligible to receive a maximum loan of $10,000.
PipeER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How was this loan program established?
This new loan program was established during the 2018 Maryland legislation session, when House Bill 408 was passed and was subsequently expanded in 2024. The legislation requires an annual budget of $200,000 for the loan program per year, from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 through FY 2034. Funds will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis each year.
What can the loans be used for?
They can be used to finance the replacement of water and sewer service lines on residential properties, along with the diagnostic work completed to diagnose pipe issues.
How do I find a WSSC Water-licensed plumber?
A list of registered licensed plumbers can be found on the WSSC Water website at: wsscwater.com/findplumber.
Are there any restrictions associated with the loan?
Liens will be placed on the residential properties of the loan recipients until the loans are paid in full.
How many loans will be administered each year?
The annual budget for each WSSC Water fiscal year is $200,000. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, each fiscal year until the $200,000 program fund is depleted.
Who determines if I qualify?
The loan program is administered by the WSSC Federal Credit Union, who will review the loans.
How do you qualify for a loan?
WSSC Federal Credit Union is responsible for underwriting and administering the loans under this program, therefore all contact regarding the application process should be directed to WSSC FCU at (240) 459-8008.
Customers must meet the following criteria:
- Be a residential customer and owner of the property where the pipe-related work is taking place.
- Have received a WSSC Water 30-day leak letter/notification.
- Meet WSSC FCU's minimum underwriting standards.
- Obtain two quotes from WSSC Water-registered licensed plumbers for a water service line replacement.
- Sewer line diagnostics may be performed by a WSSC Water-licensed plumber without receipt of the quote.
How will the plumber get paid?
Loan Details
- Loan requests must be at least $500, but may not exceed $10,000.
- A borrower may have only one loan at a time.
- Repayment terms range from 12-60 months.
- The loan interest rate is equal to the Prime Rate* – 1.00%, with a floor of 4.50% APR**. The current rate is 7.50% APR. A discount of 0.50% will be applied to loans paid through direct deposit. (Rate effective July 1, 2024)
- Applicants must meet the WSSC FCU's minimum underwriting standards to qualify.
- Funds will be paid directly to the WSSC Water-licensed plumber completing the work.
- If a loan is issued, the borrower must become a member of WSSC Federal Credit Union.
- Loans under the program are underwritten by WSSC Federal Credit Union, however borrowers will be required to acknowledge that WSSC Water will record a lien on the property.
*As of the prior June 30th
**APR=Annual Percentage Rate
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PipeER LOAN
Please enter the following when prompted during the application process:
- If you are not a member of WSSC Federal Credit Union, at the Member Number field, enter 999999 and enter your Social Security Number. If you are a member, please enter your account/member number and your Social Security Number.
- Select Loan Type – Answer “PipeER”.
- Amount Requested – Minimum is $500/Maximum is $10,000.
- Purpose – Answer “PipeER”.
- Collateral – Answer “Home”.
- Would you like to add insurance protection to this loan? – Answer “Yes”, if you are interested in adding Debt Protection.
- After entering the above, enter all remaining required information and answer all questions until you get to the submit button. Then review and submit your application.
- Once completed, please upload verification of your income and any other needed documents (quotes, leak letter, etc.) to us securely using our Upload Center.
