Astoria waives water, sewer bills for federal workers

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) – The City of Astoria is temporarily waiving water and sewer bills for furloughed federal employees who live there.

The Daily Astorian reports Wednesday that anyone who receives a waiver will have to pay the outstanding balance of their water and sewer bill when the government shutdown ends.

The shutdown has affected a large contingent of U.S. Coast Guard personnel who live in Astoria and Warrenton.

A food pantry that opened up over the weekend in Astoria served more than 1,300 federal employees and their families.

The city’s parks department is also offering federal employees passes for swim lessons and other activities.

There are about 9,600 federal employees in Oregon who are furloughed or working without pay.

Shutdowns have happened before, but this one marks the longest in U.S. history.