How to Pay Your SF Water Bill

Paying your water bill in San Francisco is easy when you know all the options, The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) offers several convenient ways to pay so you can choose the method that works best for you, This guide will walk you through the main ways to pay your SF water bill

Online Payment

The fastest and most convenient way to pay is online through the SFPUC website, You have a few options

• MyAccount: Register for an account on the SFPUC MyAccount website. Once registered, you can view your bill details and submit one-time or recurring automatic payments from your bank account. This option is free of any processing fees.

• One-Time Online Payment: Make a one-time payment on the SF Water EZ-Pay website using a credit card, debit card, eCheck or eCash. There is a $1000 limit within a 30-day period for credit/debit card payments.

• Bill Pay Service: Use your bank or financial institution’s online bill pay service to send payments to the SFPUC.

• Automated Payment Service: Sign up for the SFPUC’s automated payment service to have your payment automatically deducted from your bank account each month.

The benefit of paying online is it’s quick, easy, and allows you to avoid mailing in checks or visiting the SFPUC office in person. Online payments can be made 24/7 as long as you have an internet connection.

Pay by Phone

Call (415) 551-3000 and select the “Pay by Phone” option to make a payment over the phone using automated prompts. You can pay using a credit card, debit card or electronic check. This is a handy option if you are on the go and don’t have time to log into your online account.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to pay the old fashioned way, you can mail in a physical check or money order. Here’s how it works:

• Write the check or money order payable to “San Francisco Water”
• Write your account number on the check
• Tear off the payment slip from the bottom of your paper bill and enclose it with your payment
• Mail to: PO Box 7369, San Francisco CA 94120-7369

Be sure not to mail cash – checks or money orders only. Allow 5-7 business days for your mailed payment to reach the SFPUC and be applied to your account.

Pay in Person

You can drop off check or money order payments in person at:

• SFPUC Building (525 Golden Gate Ave) – There is a drop box located to the right of the main entrance. Hours are 10am-2pm on weekdays, excluding holidays.

• San Francisco City Hall, Room 140 (1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl) – Accepts check/cash payments only from 8am-5pm on weekdays, excluding holidays.

To pay in cash, visit any 7-Eleven store in San Francisco and pay with a barcode generated on the SFPUC EZ-Pay website. There is a $10 minimum payment at 7-Eleven.

Recurring Auto-Pay

The most convenient option is to enroll in auto-pay so your water bill is paid automatically each month. Here are two ways to set up recurring payments:

• MyAccount: Enroll in auto-pay when you register on the SFPUC MyAccount website. Payments will be deducted from your bank account each month.

• Direct Payment Plan: Print and mail in a Direct Payment Plan authorization form. Payments will be deducted from your account automatically on the due date each month.

Recurring auto-pay means you don’t have to remember to pay each month or log in to submit payments. The amount due is always paid on time, helping you avoid late fees.

Financial Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble paying your water bill, the SFPUC offers financial assistance:

• Customer Assistance Program (CAP): Offers discounted rates to low-income customers. You must meet eligibility criteria and apply to enroll.

• Bill Relief: Payment plans, temporary discount rates, and debt forgiveness programs are available for customers facing financial hardship.

Contact the SFPUC at (415) 551-3000 to discuss bill relief options or apply for CAP utility discounts. Don’t let an overdue bill spiral – call right away if you anticipate difficulty making payments.

Avoid Late Fees

SFPUC bills are due 15 days after they are issued. Any unpaid balance remaining after the due date is assessed a 10% late penalty fee. This can add up quickly if you miss multiple payment due dates.

Set up auto-pay or calendar reminders for your bill due date to avoid expensive late fees. If you cannot pay on time, call the SFPUC immediately to make alternative arrangements. Late fees may be waived if you communicate proactively.

Review Billing Disputes

If you disagree with the balance on your water bill, you can dispute the charges. First, call the SFPUC at (415) 551-3000 to understand the charges and request any needed corrections. If you still feel the bill is inaccurate, you can formally contest it by submitting the dispute in writing.

Provide detailed information on what you are disputing, along with supporting documentation. These disputes are formally investigated and resolved by the SFPUC’s director. You will receive written notice of the outcome.

Avoid Water Shutoff

Failing to pay your water bill after multiple late notices will result in water service shutoff. Once shut off, service will only be restored after paying:

• The full overdue balance
• A reconnection fee
• A deposit for future water bills

Avoid expensive reconnection fees and the hassle of service interruptions by paying your bill on time, enrolling in payment plans if needed, or applying for financial assistance.

The SFPUC must provide advance shutoff notices and attempt to contact customers before discontinuing service. Shutoffs only occur as a last resort for unpaid bills. Contact the SFPUC immediately if you receive a shutoff warning so alternative arrangements can be made.

Payment Assistance for Seniors

Senior citizens who need help managing bill payments can enroll in the SFPUC’s Third Party Notification program. This allows you to designate someone else to receive copies of notices when your account is overdue.

While the third party is not responsible for paying the bills, they can remind you of deadlines, help explain charges, and assist in making arrangements. Contact the SFPUC customer service to set up third party notification.

Stay Updated on Your Account

Keep track of your water usage and billing details by signing up for a MyAccount online profile on the SFPUC website. This dashboard allows you to:

• View current and past water bills
• Monitor daily water consumption
• Receive notifications for leaks, high usage, and other alerts
• Pay bills online
• Update account information

MyAccount ensures you have 24/7 access to the latest details about your SF water account. Enable text and email notifications to stay updated on leaks, outages, construction, or other events affecting your water service.

Summary

• Pay online, by phone, mail, auto-pay or in-person. Compare options to choose your preferred bill payment method.
• Avoid late fees by enrolling in auto-pay or calendar reminders.
• Seek bill relief or financial assistance programs if you anticipate difficulty paying.
• Dispute inaccurate bills and avoid shutoffs by contacting SFPUC promptly about overdue notices.
• Seniors can enroll in third party notification to get help from a friend/relative managing account.
• Monitor your account anytime with the SFPUC online MyAccount portal.

Paying your SF water bill is quick and painless when you use the available online, phone, and in-person options. Reach out to SFPUC customer service if you need assistance selecting the right payment method for your needs. Consistently paying your bill on time ensures uninterrupted water service while avoiding extra fees.