Living in the city of San Juan Capistrano? Then you likely receive monthly water bills for your household or business water usage Paying your San Juan Capistrano water bill is easy when you know all the online and offline payment options available This guide will outline the various methods to pay SJC water bills quickly and conveniently,
Who Provides Water Service in San Juan Capistrano?
The city of San Juan Capistrano receives water and sewer services from the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) SMWD is a public utility agency that took over San Juan Capistrano’s aging water infrastructure system in 2021 They handle water delivery, sewage and wastewater treatment, infrastructure maintenance, and water bill collection for SJC households and businesses.
When are Water Bills Issued in San Juan Capistrano?
The Santa Margarita Water District issues monthly billing statements for San Juan Capistrano customers. Your bill will include charges for that month’s water usage, sewer service, as well as any fixed fees and adjustments.
Bills are generated around the end of each month and are typically due within 25 days. For example, your August statement reflecting July usage would be mailed in late August and due in mid September.
How Much are Water Bills in San Juan Capistrano?
The cost of your San Juan Capistrano water bill depends on factors like:
- Household size and usage amount (tiered rates per CCF)
- Meter size
- Fixed monthly service fees
- Sewage service charges
With SMWD rate increases in 2023, the average SJC customer can expect to pay around $30 more per month. Exact bill costs vary based on the above factors.
What Payment Options Exist to Pay Your SJC Water Bill?
When your monthly statement arrives, you have several methods to pay your San Juan Capistrano water bill:
Pay Online
For quick and convenient payments, you can pay your SJC water bill online through SMWD’s website. They accept online payments from checking/savings accounts and credit cards. You can also set up auto-pay to have payments automatically debited each month.
Pay by Phone
Call SMWD at (949) 459-6420 and make a payment over the phone Have your account number ready and pay with a card,
Pay by Mail
Detach the payment stub from your printed bill and mail it with a check or money order to the address printed on the statement. Allow 7-10 days for mail delivery.
Drop Off In-Person
Place your water bill payment (check or money order) along with the stub in the drop box outside San Juan Capistrano City Hall.
Pay at City Hall
During business hours, you can visit San Juan Capistrano City Hall in person to make a payment by cash, check, or credit/debit card.
Pay at a SMWD Office
Go to SMWD’s customer service office in Rancho Santa Margarita during business hours to pay your water bill in person.
Tips for Hassle-Free Water Bill Payments
To make paying your San Juan Capistrano water bill even easier, keep these tips in mind:
- Set up autopay or schedule recurring reminders to avoid late fees.
- Sign up for paperless billing to receive bills electronically.
- Pay a few days early to account for mailing or processing time.
- Check for leaks to prevent higher-than-expected water usage charges.
- Contact SMWD immediately if you anticipate difficulty with payment.
- Consider water conservation to reduce water usage and lower bills.
- Sign up for budget billing to spread payments evenly throughout the year.
Paying your water bill in San Juan Capistrano is fast and straightforward when you use one of the simple payment options. Now that you know the various methods – online, phone, mail, or in person – you can choose the approach that fits your needs and make sure your payment reaches SMWD on time each month. Tackling a few tips like automating payments and monitoring usage will help you manage your San Juan Capistrano water bill with minimal hassle.
Wastewater Commodity Charge (Cost per CCF)
| Customer Type | Adopted Rates August 3, 2023 | Adopted Rates July 1, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | $0.63 | $0.66 |
Maximum of 9 CCF for Single Family; Maximum 7 CCF for Multi-Family
About Your Monthly Water & Wastewater Bill
The Districts monthly water and wastewater rate structure contains two categories of charges:
- Commodity Charge – the cost to buy or produce water
- Fixed Monthly Base Charge – the cost for operations, facilities, and capital
The commodity charges are based on the actual demands placed on the water and wastewater utility and customers are charged per Hundred Cubic Feet (CCF) of water used. Single-family residential customers are billed on a tiered basis, depending on the amount of water used in each billing cycle.
Since all customers benefit from the pipes, pumps, reservoirs, and future water reliability programs, these infrastructure costs are recovered by the fixed base charges and are based on the size of the water meter servicing a property; the majority of residential customers have 3/4″ or 1″ meters.
Investing in San Juan Capistrano
FAQ
What happens if I don’t pay my water bill in California?
What county is San Juan Capistrano in?
How do I pay my water bill in California?
Where can I pay my San Juan Capistrano water/sewer bill?
Customers located in San Juan Capistrano will now pay their water/sewer bill to the Santa Margarita Water District. The Santa Margarita Water District has several options for bill payment. Customers located in SJC city limits can view their options for payment at:
Will San Juan Capistrano change its water rate structure in 2023?
On August 2, 2023, the Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve changes to the drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater rate structure for customers in San Juan Capistrano.
How much money has SMWD invested in San Juan Capistrano?
Read more Since SMWD began serving San Juan Capistrano customers in 2021, we have invested $7 million in infrastructure improvements and maintenance. SMWD hit the ground running, making immediate repairs and improvements to San Juan Capistrano’s water and sewer infrastructure system.
What services does Santa Margarita Water District offer?
We know that life can get complicated sometimes. We offer payment arrangements and a customer assistance program. Learn more about these programs by visiting the Help Paying My Bill page. Santa Margarita Water District proudly provides drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to over 200,000 residents.
Who is Santa Margarita Water District?
Santa Margarita Water District proudly provides drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to over 200,000 residents. Where does our water come from? What are the District’s Water Conservation “rules”? Who is the Metropolitan Water District?
What has SMWD done in San Juan Capistrano?
SMWD hit the ground running, making immediate repairs and improvements to San Juan Capistrano’s water and sewer infrastructure system. Improvements, repairs, and enhancements in San Juan Capistrano over the past year included: