What Happens If You Don’T Pay Your Water Bill? Consequences and Options

Not paying your water bill can lead to serious consequences, including termination of your water service However, there are steps you can take to avoid shutoffs or restore service if it has already been discontinued This article explains what happens when you don’t pay your water bill, your rights as a customer, and how to work with your utility provider to resolve the issue.

Overview of the Water Shutoff Process

Water companies and municipalities have policies in place for collecting on delinquent accounts The shutoff process generally involves

• Bill becomes past due – After the due date passes, your account is considered delinquent

• Late fees are charged—most providers charge late fees equal to or greater than 5% of the past-due balance.

• Shutoff notice sent – If the bill remains unpaid, you’ll receive a shutoff notice stating the date service will be discontinued if you don’t pay.

• Service terminated: If the bill is still not paid on the due date, the utility company can turn off the water to the property.

• Reconnection fee – To resume service after a shutoff, you’ll likely need to pay a reconnection fee that may range from $10-$150.

• Collections and liens – Chronically delinquent accounts may be sent to collections or have a lien placed on the property to recover unpaid balances.

The amount of time between the first late payment and the shutoff varies by provider but is usually between one and three billing cycles.

Your Rights as a Customer

California has laws protecting consumers from unfair water shutoffs and establishing processes utility companies must follow. Key rights include:

• Receive advance shutoff notices – You must receive written notice from the utility at least 10 days before a scheduled termination of water service.

• Avoid shutoffs with good faith payments—if you make a good faith payment of 50% or more of the amount you owe before the shutoff date, you will not be shut off.

• Establish payment plans – You have the right to set up deferred or installment payment plans with your provider. Shutoffs are prohibited while you are making agreed upon payments.

• Protest shutoff – You can dispute shutoffs and bills through a formal appeals process. Service cannot be terminated during appeals.

• Restoration of service – Utilities are required to restore service within 24 hours once reasons for disconnection have been resolved and reconnection fees paid.

• Receive information on financial assistance – Your utility must inform low-income customers of any available financial aid programs or alternative payment schedules.

Consequences of Not Paying Water Bills

Here are some potential consequences of disregarding water bills and allowing your service to be disconnected:

• No running water – This creates major health and sanitation issues. You will have no water for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, etc.

• Property damage – Burst pipes and water damage can occur without active service and water pressure. This can lead to expensive repairs.

• Eviction – Landlords may begin eviction proceedings if they receive shutoff notices or have property damage from discontinued water service.

• Ineligibility for future service – Some providers won’t establish new accounts for customers with histories of nonpayment until all prior balances are paid.

• Tax sale – In some cases, chronically delinquent water bills can trigger foreclosure and sale of the property at a tax sale.

• Credit damage – Unpaid utility bills may be reported to credit bureaus, negatively impacting your credit score.

• Collections and legal action – Utilities may refer severely past due accounts to collections agencies or pursue payment via small claims lawsuits. This can result in wage garnishment, property liens, and additional legal fees.

How to Avoid Water Shutoffs if You Can’t Pay

If you’re struggling to pay water bills, take proactive steps to avoid shutoffs and maintain service:

• Communicate with your provider – Contact them as soon as possible to discuss payment extension options. Don’t ignore calls or notices.

• Apply for financial assistance – Low-income households may qualify for bill forgiveness, discounted rates, and financial aid.

• Establish payment plans – Work out installment plans spreading repayment over several months. Get any agreements in writing.

• Conserve water – Reduce usage to lower your monthly bills. Take shorter showers, address leaks, and curtail outdoor irrigation.

• Seek local aid – Churches, charities, and government programs may provide help with utility bills for those in need.

• Make partial payments – Paying a portion of the amount owed can delay shutoff in many cases.

• Prioritize water bills – Consider deferring other expenses and debts temporarily to keep water service active.

• Dispute excessive bills – You can contest billing errors and request investigations of potential meter malfunctions.

How to Restore Water Service After Disconnection

If efforts to prevent shutoff fail and your water gets turned off, take these steps to get it turned back on:

• Pay outstanding balance – To initiate reconnection, you’ll need to pay the full past due amount, including late fees.

• Pay reconnection fee – A standard turn-on fee applies and must be paid before service resumes. Fees start around $10.

• Agree to payment plan – You may have to agree to a deferred payment schedule to avoid another imminent shutoff after restoration.

• Provide proof of residency – Some utilities require updated ID or occupancy documents to reconnect water to rental properties.

• Schedule turn-on appointment – The provider will dispatch a technician to manually restore service once conditions are met.

• Be present for reconnection – Most companies mandate that an adult occupant be on site when water is turned back on.

• Assess property for leaks – During disconnection, pipes can corrode and leak. Inspect all plumbing and repair detected leaks before resuming service.

• Flush pipes – Once water is restored, run both hot and cold taps for several minutes to flush stale water from indoor plumbing.

Losing essential water service creates major disruption, so act fast if you get behind on payments. Know your rights, be proactive with your utility provider, and exhaust all options before reaching the shutoff stage. With diligence and open communication, water service interruptions can often be avoided.