Having reliable water service is essential for every home and business. At the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), we make paying your water bill quick, easy, and convenient. This guide will walk you through the various ways to pay your SMWD water bill.
Online Bill Pay
The fastest and most convenient way to pay your Santa Margarita Water District bill is online through the customer portal.
To pay online
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Go to SMWD.com and click on “Pay Bill”
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Enter your 10-digit account number without dashes
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Select whether you want to pay with credit/debit card or e-check
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Enter your payment details and submit
Online payments are processed instantly. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your payment receipt. Paying online saves time and gives instant payment confirmation.
Pay By Phone
Call our automated payment line at (949) 459-6420 to pay your SMWD water bill over the phone. Have your account number and credit/debit card ready.
To pay by phone:
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Call (949) 459-6420
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Select option 1 for the automated phone payment system
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Enter your 10-digit account number
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Follow the prompts to enter your card details
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Your payment will be processed automatically
Paying by phone is quick and easy, available 24/7. Phone payments have no additional fees.
Pay By Mail
To pay your SMWD water bill by mail, simply detach the payment stub from your paper bill and mail it along with your check or money order.
Make checks payable to SMWD and write your 10-digit account number on the check. Double check the mailing address:
Santa Margarita Water District
PO Box 7005
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to reach our office. Pay at least 1 week before your due date to avoid late fees.
Drop Boxes
For added convenience, SMWD has secure drop boxes located outside our office where you can drop off check or money order payments:
26111 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
This drop box is open 24/7. Payments left in the drop box before 8:00am will be processed same day.
In Person
To pay your SMWD water bill in person with cash, check, or credit/debit card, visit our office at:
26111 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. In-person payments provide instant payment confirmation.
Payment Kiosks
SMWD has partnered with select retailers to offer self-service bill payment kiosks for added convenience:
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Albertsons – 30902 S. Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita
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Stater Bros – 30131 Aventura, Rancho Santa Margarita
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CVS Pharmacy – 22101 Los Alisos Blvd, Mission Viejo
Kiosks accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards. Simply enter your SMWD account number and payment amount to pay your bill.
Auto-Pay
For maximum convenience, enroll in Auto-Pay to have your water bill paid automatically each month. On your due date, the payment method you selected will be charged your balance due.
To enroll in Auto-Pay:
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Go to SMWD.com and log into your account
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Select “AutoPay Signup”
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Enter your payment details
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Check the authorization box and submit
Set it and forget it! Auto-Pay ensures you never miss a payment.
Budget Billing
To make payments more predictable, SMWD offers Budget Billing which averages your costs over 12 months to determine a fixed monthly payment amount. This helps avoid seasonal spikes.
To get started with Budget Billing:
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Make sure your account is in good standing
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Call SMWD at (949) 459-6420 to enroll
Budget Billing prevents surprise bills and keeps your payments consistent year-round.
Financial Assistance
If you’re having trouble paying your SMWD water bill, you may qualify for financial assistance such as:
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Payment arrangements – Set up a monthly payment plan
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Leak adjustments – Adjustments if a qualifying leak occurs
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Customer assistance program – Reduced rates for low income households
Contact SMWD at (949) 459-6420 to learn more about bill assistance programs.
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about paying SMWD water bills:
What are the late fees if I miss my due date?
A 10% late charge will be applied to unpaid balances after the due date. Call immediately if you need an extension.
When is my water bill due?
SMWD bills are due 21 days after mailing. Due dates are printed on your statement. Bills are mailed around the 25th of each month.
How can I check my water usage?
Log into your account on SMWD.com to view daily water use graphs to monitor your consumption. Identifying usage patterns can help detect leaks.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, cash, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Debit/credit card fees apply to phone and online payments.
Can I pay my water bill in installments?
Yes, payment arrangements are available on a case-by-case basis for customers who cannot pay their balance in full by the due date. Call us.
Do you offer paperless billing?
Yes, you can opt into paperless billing and receive your statement electronically via email by logging into your account on SMWD.com.
How do I sign up for Budget Billing?
Contact SMWD at (949) 459-6420 to enroll in Budget Billing. Your account must be in good standing with no past due balance.
When will a water bill show up on my credit report?
Unpaid bills over 90 days past due may be reported to credit bureaus. Pay or arrange payments before 60 days to avoid credit impacts.
What if I’m moving? How do I close my account?
Contact customer service at least 3 days before your move date to close your account. Provide your move out date and forwarding address.
We hope these frequently asked questions help explain the billing and payment process at SMWD. Please reach out to us if you have any other questions!
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