Paying your water bill on time is important to avoid late fees and service interruptions. The Contra Costa Water District offers several convenient options to pay your water bill. This article will explain the available payment methods, how to understand your bill, and what to do if you need help paying your bill.
Overview of Contra Costa Water District
The Contra Costa Water District provides water service to over 500,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County in California. The district services an area of about 140,000 acres. As a public water agency, the Contra Costa Water District is committed to providing high-quality water at a reasonable cost to residents and businesses.
The district produces water from several sources, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, local reservoirs, and recycled water. Keeping accounts current through on-time payment of water bills allows the district to continue investing in infrastructure and water supply reliability
Payment Options from Contra Costa Water District
Contra Costa Water District offers several ways to pay your water bill conveniently. Customers can pay online, by phone, by mail at a drop box or in person. Here is an overview of each payment method
EasyPay Automatic Payments
The easiest way to pay is to enroll in the free EasyPay automatic payment program. With EasyPay your payment is automatically deducted from your checking account each month. This ensures your bill is paid on time without any effort on your part.
To enroll in EasyPay, complete the EasyPay application available on the district’s website. You will need to provide your checking account information. Payments will be deducted on the due date shown on your monthly bill.
Online Credit Card Payments
You can make secure online payments with a credit or debit card through the Paymentus customer portal. Paymentus allows you to make one-time payments, set up recurring autopay, or enroll in paperless billing.
To use Paymentus, you will need to create an account on their secure portal, which is accessible through the district’s website. You can save your payment information in your Paymentus account for future one-click payments.
Pay by Phone
Call 877-506-3121 to make a one-time credit or debit card payment over the phone. This automated payment line is available 24/7 and provides service in both English and Spanish. Have your account information and card ready when you call.
Mail a Check
You can pay by check by mailing your payment to:
Contra Costa Water District
P.O. Box 1430
Suisun City, CA 94585-4430
Detach the payment stub from your paper bill and include it with your check in the return envelope provided. Make sure your customer account number is written on the check. Allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to process.
24-Hour Drop Box
For after-hours payments, an outdoor 24-hour drop box is located at 1331 Concord Ave in Concord, CA. Place your check or money order in an envelope with your payment stub. Payments left in the drop box before 8 AM will be processed the same day.
Pay In Person
You can pay in cash, check, or money order in person at the district’s customer service office at 1331 Concord Ave, Concord, CA. In-person payments are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, excluding holidays. You will receive a receipt for your payment.
Understanding Your Water Bill
Reviewing your monthly water bill can help you understand the charges and monitor your household’s water usage. Here are some key sections of the Contra Costa Water District bill:
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Account Summary: Provides your account number, service address, and billing period.
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Payment Stub: Removable stub to submit with mailed payments.
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Charge Summary: Lists the water usage charges, service fees, and any adjustments for the billing period.
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Water Usage History: Charts your monthly water use in gallons for the past 13 months.
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Usage Comparison: Compares your water use to other households in your customer class.
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Messages: Important notifications like leaks, rate changes, or conservation programs.
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Account Balance: Displays any past due balance or credit on your account.
Review the district’s website for a sample bill and full descriptions of each section and the rates. Monitoring your monthly usage can help detect leaks and identify areas to reduce water use.
Getting Help Paying Your Bill
If you are having difficulty paying your water bill, Contra Costa Water District offers assistance programs:
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Payment arrangements: You may be able to arrange an alternative payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount due. Contact customer service to discuss options.
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Bill adjustment: You may qualify for a bill adjustment if you had an undetected water leak. Submit a leak adjustment form within 90 days of the leak repair.
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Customer assistance program: Offers a 15% discount on water bills for qualifying low-income customers. You must meet income guidelines and submit an application.
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Payment extensions: Payment deadlines may be extended for customers who have experienced a hardship like job loss or medical issues. Contact customer service.
You can also check if you qualify for utility bill assistance programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Notify the district immediately if you are struggling to pay your bill to avoid service interruptions.
Consequences of Not Paying Your Bill
It is important to pay your Contra Costa Water District bill in full and on time to avoid penalties. Here is what can happen if your account becomes delinquent:
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Late fees – A 10% late charge will be added if payment is not received within 25 days after the due date.
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Disconnection warning – If your balance remains unpaid after 60 days, you will receive a final notice warning disconnection of service.
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Water service shutoff – If the past due amount is not paid after final notice, your water service will be discontinued. Shutoffs typically occur Tuesday through Thursday.
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Collections – Unpaid balances over 90 days past due are sent to a collection agency. You will be responsible for repayment as well as collection fees.
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Credit impact – The district may report severely delinquent accounts to credit bureaus, negatively impacting your credit score.
Avoid these consequences by paying on time, enrolling in autopay programs, and contacting customer service immediately if you anticipate difficulty making a payment. Maintaining your account in good standing ensures uninterrupted water service.
Contact Contra Costa Water District for Assistance
Contra Costa Water District’s customer service team can answer billing and payment questions:
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General inquiries: Call 925-688-8000 Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM or email customer service through the district website.
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Emergencies: For water-related emergencies like leaks or no water service, call 925-688-8374.
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Office location: Visit the customer service office at 1331 Concord Ave, Concord, CA 94520.
Staying current with your water bill ensures important water services that protect public health and support the local economy. Use the convenient payment options from Contra Costa Water District to pay your bill on time every month. Contact customer service if you need help understanding your charges or arranging payment assistance. Managing your water service account responsibly allows the district to continue providing high-quality water service.
Need help with your water bill?
Below is information about a program to assist customers with paying their water bills. To discuss your particular circumstances or for more information about the program below, call 925-688-8000.
Lifeline Water Rate Program
Contra Costa Water District offers a lifeline water rate program for low-income customers who are over the age of 58 or receiving permanent disability insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration. The lifeline water rate program reduces the daily service charge by 50% to qualifying customers. Call 925-688-8000 with questions.
To qualify for the lifeline water rate program, applicants who meet the age or disability requirements must also have household incomes less than the levels listed in the table below. These levels are consistent with income limitations set for Contra Costa County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Shelley Mays, Water Distribution Operator, Contra Costa Water District
How do I pay my Contra Costa water bill?
You can pay your Contra Costa Water District (CA) bill directly by visiting here. Alternatively, you can pay through doxo using Apple Pay, debit card, bank account, or credit card.
How do I create a Contra Costa water district account?
If you already have an account, you just need to login to the Contra Costa Water District site. Contra Costa Water District accepts credit cards, debit, and direct deposit. Click here to login. Want to create a new account? You can create a new account on the Contra Costa Water District website.
How do I make a payment to Contra Costa County?
If you plan to make an aggregate payment of fifty thousand dollars or more on the two most recent installments of secured taxes or on the one installment of the most recent unsecured tax, you are required to make your payment to Contra Costa County via Electronic Funds Transfer. Read about convenience fees.
How does the Contra Costa Water District work?
The Contra Costa Water District uses ozone disinfection, a process that significantly reduces the production of trihalomethanes, but it can cause the formation of bromate, a different regulated DBP. The district also utilizes chloromine to treat residual carbon.
Where can I get help with utility bills in Contra Costa County?
The Salvation Army of Concord offers help for utility bills through their REACH program for Contra Costa County residents who are facing an eviction due to unpaid energy costs. Referrals to other resources, such as shelter or ESG grants for rental payments, may also be available.
Where does Contra Costa water divert water from?
Contra Costa Water District diverts water from four locations (in-take) in the Delta: (1) Rock Slough near Oakley, (2) Old River near Discovery Bay, (3) Middle River on Victoria Island, and (4) Mallard Slough in Bay Point.