How to Pay Your Water Bill in San Diego: A Comprehensive Guide

Paying your water bill is an essential part of being a resident or business owner in San Diego. The city’s water and wastewater services are managed by the Public Utilities Department, which provides clean drinking water and sewer services to over 1.3 million customers. As a customer, it’s important to know your options to pay your water bill conveniently and on time each month.

We will go over everything you need to know to pay your San Diego water bill in this detailed guide, such as:

• How the billing and payment cycle works
• The different ways to pay your bill
• What to do if you have billing questions or need assistance
• Additional resources for customers

Overview of Water Bill Payments in San Diego

When water meters are read regularly, the Public Utilities Department sends bills to San Diego water customers every one to two months. Bills are typically mailed or emailed to customers.

There are a few key dates to be aware of:

• Billing Date: This is when your water bill is generated, about every 30-60 days.

• Due Date: Payment is due 20 calendar days from the billing date.

• Delinquent After Date: If payment is not received by the due date, a 10% penalty will be added to the bill.

That’s why you should pay your water bill by the due date shown on your bill to avoid any late fees. It’s important to pay on time each billing cycle.

Now let’s look at the various ways you can pay your San Diego water bill.

Paying Your Water Bill Online

The easiest and most convenient way for most customers to pay their water bill is online through the city’s self-service portal MyWaterSD.

To pay online, you’ll need your 12-digit account number and the street number of your service address. With these details, you can log into MyWaterSD and view your latest bill and payment history.

You can make secure online payments using your credit card, debit card or electronic check. There is a service fee for online credit/debit payments of 1.59% or $1.50, whichever is greater, for residential accounts and 2.25% for commercial accounts.

When you pay your bill online, you can do it quickly and easily 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without having to mail checks or go to an office. It will also give you peace of mind to know that your payment was received on time.

Paying Your Water Bill by Phone

The Public Utilities Department does NOT accept water bill payments over the phone. This policy is to protect customers’ privacy and security.

You will never receive a call from the city requesting you to make a payment over the phone. Any call requesting phone payment is likely a scam.

Paying Your Water Bill by Mail

If you prefer to pay your water bill by check via mail, you can send your payment stub and check in the return envelope provided with your bill.

If you’ve misplaced the return envelope, you can mail payments to:

City of San Diego Public Utilities Department
Customer Support Division
PO Box 129020
San Diego, CA 92112-9020

Be sure to allow plenty of mailing time for your payment to arrive by the due date. Payments received after the due date, even if mailed before, will incur a 10% late penalty.

Paying Your Water Bill in Person

You can also pay your San Diego water bill in person at one of the city’s payment locations:

• Office of the City Treasurer – 1200 3rd Ave Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92101
• Authorized Payment Centers – Over 200 retail locations across the city; map here

The Office of the City Treasurer is open Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm, excluding holidays. They accept cash, check or credit/debit.

The authorized payment centers consist of retail stores and check cashing locations accepting cash payments. Refer to the payment map linked above to find a location near you.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

For hands-off convenience, you can enroll in automatic payments to have your water bill paid directly from your bank account every month.

To get started, download and complete the Automatic Payment Form. Mail the form to:

City of San Diego Public Utilities Department
Customer Support Division
P.O. Box 129020
San Diego, CA 92112-9020

Allow 10 business days for processing. Payments will then be automatically deducted from your account 15 days after each new billing statement. Just make sure to keep your bank account active and funded.

Automatic payments provide reliable due date coverage so you don’t incur late fees, freeing you from bill payment worries each month.

What If You’re Unable to Pay Your Bill on Time?

If you’re ever unable to pay the full balance due on your water bill by the due date, don’t panic. You have options, including:

• Request an extension – The city may be able to provide a due date extension in some circumstances, such as a temporary financial hardship. Call customer support to explain your situation.

• Request an installment plan – You can set up a monthly payment plan to pay your outstanding balance over time interest-free. Apply online here.

• Apply for financial assistance – Programs like the Help to Others (H2O) Program provide bill payment aid for qualifying low-income customers. Learn more here.

The Public Utilities Department aims to provide all customers with access to essential water services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Reach out for help to avoid service disruption if you anticipate payment difficulties.

Answers to Frequently Asked Bill Pay Questions

Paying your water bill in San Diego is easy when you know the process. But questions and issues can come up from time to time. Here are some quick answers to common bill pay FAQs:

What if I lost my water bill or it’s late arriving? Contact Public Utilities if you don’t receive your bill after 60 days. You won’t incur penalties or interest while your bill is delayed. Once your account is reviewed, your proper bill will be sent.

Where can I find bill payment locations? Refer to the in-person payment map and office hours. You can also call 619-515-3500 for assistance.

Can someone else pay my bill? Yes, anyone can pay your water bill as long as they have your account number and service address.

Why are my sewer charges based on water usage? The city uses your water consumption as a basis for sewer service charges, since most water used ends up as wastewater.

Can I dispute my bill? Yes, you can dispute your bill if you believe it’s inaccurate. Call 619-515-3500 to explain the issue and provide updated meter readings as needed. Adjustments are made if appropriate.

Why is my bill estimated occasionally? If your meter can’t be read, your charges will be estimated based on past usage. Provide an updated read via MyWaterSD to correct an estimated bill.

For additional common questions on water bills, check out this FAQ list. Reach out anytime for personal assistance.

Leveraging Online Resources

The Public Utilities Department provides many resources online to find information, manage your account, and make bill paying seamless:

• MyWaterSD Account Portal – View your bill, payment history, water usage and service details. Also update account information, go paperless, and more.

• Online Billing Support – Access FAQs, billing how-to’s, and ways to save money.

• Polices & Forms – Download official policies, forms, and more useful documents.

• Contact Information – Get phone, email, and office details for Customer Support.

Using these online resources can answer many bill pay questions and make your experience as a San Diego water customer much smoother.

Stay On Top of Your Bill Payments

Paying your monthly water bill is essential to maintaining uninterrupted water services from the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department. They make the process straightforward by offering various payment methods and assistance programs.

Let this guide act as a blueprint to paying your San Diego water bill seamlessly and avoiding any late fees or service disruptions. The key is to know your billing cycle, due date, and options. Set a reminder each month and pay on time, either online, by mail, in person or automatically.

Reaching out early for help if payment issues ever arise can allow you to keep your account in good standing. With the right information and preparation, you can stay on top of your bill payments and continue enjoying the world-class water provided to San Diego residents and businesses.