Paying your water bill on time every month is an essential responsibility as a customer of Vista Irrigation District (VID). This public water agency serves over 133,000 people in Vista, California and surrounding areas. VID offers several convenient options to view and pay your water bill online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in-person. This detailed guide explains the various methods to pay a VID water bill, create an online account, set up autopay, view bill history and more.
Online Bill Pay Through VID Website
The easiest way to pay your VID water bill is online through their website. Below are the steps to pay online:
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Go to wwwvidwaterorg and click on “Pay My Bill” at top of homepage,
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On the payment page, click on “Log In or Enroll” under the Online Billing & Payments section.
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As a first-time user, click “Enroll Now” to create your online account and register your VID account number
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Enter your account details, contact information, password and security questions as prompted.
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Your VID account will now be linked to the online payment system. You can view bill history, make one-time payments, set up autopay and manage notifications.
Online payments are fast, secure, and let you avoid mailing checks or visiting the VID office. You can pay directly from a bank account anytime night or day at your convenience through the online portal.
Enroll in Autopay Through Bank Account
For hassle-free bill payment, enroll in VID’s Auto Payment program. Your water bills will be paid automatically each month on the due date by direct withdrawal from your checking or savings account.
To enroll in autopay:
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Download the Auto Payment application form from VID website and fill it out fully.
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Attach a voided check to the form for verification of your bank details.
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Mail the completed application to VID or drop it off at their office.
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Payments will now be deducted from your bank account automatically on the bill due dates.
Autopay ensures you never miss a payment deadline or accrue late fees. Just monitor your bank balance to cover the bill amounts when withdrawn each month.
Pay by Phone 24/7 Using Self Service Line
VID offers a toll-free self-service phone line to make one-time water bill payments easily over the phone.
To use the self-service line:
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Call 1-800-272-9829 anytime day or night.
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Enter your 10-digit VID account number and the jurisdiction code 1564 when prompted.
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Choose your payment method – credit/debit card or electronic check.
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Enter your payment details and card information to complete the transaction.
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A confirmation number will be provided at the end of the call.
The automated phone payment option is quick and available 24/7 for your convenience. Debit/credit card payments incur a small third-party processing fee.
Pay by Credit Card or E-Check Online
VID offers online credit/debit card and e-check bill payment through Paymentus, a secure third-party provider. To pay by card online:
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Go to www.vidwater.org and click on “Pay My Bill”.
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Scroll down and click on “Make a credit card or electronic check payment online.”
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Choose card type, enter your VID account number, payment amount, and card details.
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Review and submit the payment information. A confirmation email will be sent.
Though less cost-effective than bank transfers, online card payments let you earn rewards points on your credit card spending.
Pay by Mail With Return Envelope
Paying by physical check through the mail is still an option for VID water bills. Simply follow these instructions:
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Write your check payable to Vista Irrigation District for the total payment due.
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Tear off the payment stub from the printed bill statement.
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Place the payment stub and check in the return envelope provided.
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Deposit the sealed envelope in a USPS mailbox. Payments take 5 business days to process so mail early.
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Retain the receipt from the post office for your records in case proof of payment is needed.
Though slower than electronic payments, paying by mail avoids online transaction fees. Just ensure your check reaches on time before the due date.
Pay In-Person at VID Office
For those who prefer to pay bills in-person, you can visit the VID office located at 1391 Engineer Street, Vista, CA 92081. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8AM to 5PM, except alternate Fridays.
To pay your water bill at VID office:
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Bring your printed bill statement and payment option – cash, check or card.
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Present your bill at the front desk and make your payment. Get a receipt as proof of payment.
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You can also drop your payment envelope into the secure drop box at the office front if visiting after business hours.
In-person payments allow you to get instant payment confirmation and assistance with any bill inquiries from customer service staff.
Review Billing Cycles and Due Dates
VID bills residential customers in cycles every month between the 1st and 10th based on your service area. Due dates are around the 26th of the month. Commercial accounts are billed on the 11th, due on the 27th.
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Check your printed or emailed statement for your specific billing date and payment deadline each month.
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Mark the due dates on your calendar so your payment reaches on time and avoid late fees.
Closely monitoring billing cycles and due dates prevents payment delays that lead to penalties or service disruption.
Paying your VID water bill on time should be hassle-free and fit your schedule with their flexible online, phone, mail and in-person options. Enroll in autopay or make one-time payments electronically for maximum convenience. Follow bill due dates diligently each month to maintain uninterrupted service.
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Water service may be discontinued if the current water bill or alternative payment arrangement is delinquent for at least 60 days.
A written notice will be provided to the customer of record at least 14 days prior to discontinuation of water service.
Customers meeting specified medical and financial hardship requirements will not be discontinued, and can have a normal bill extended for up to 12 months, if all the following conditions are met:
- Customer or anyone residing at the property must submit a certification from their primary care provider that discontinuation of residential water service would be life threating or pose a serious threat to the health and safety of a resident of the premises where residential service is provided.
- Customer or anyone residing at the property must demonstrate that they are financially unable to pay within the billing cycle. This can be done by providing proof that they are a recipient of CalWORKS, Calfresh, Medi-Cal, SSI/SSSP, general assistance, or California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, OR the customer declares that they are 200% below Federal poverty level.
- Customer must be willing to enter into a Hardship Payment Agreement.
Customers meeting above requirements may provide the District with appropriate documentation to demonstrate specified medical and economic hardship and enter into a Hardship Payment Agreement. The Customer will be required to demonstrate eligibility for medical and financial hardship on an annual basis.
The District may discontinue water service if a customer granted a Hardship Payment Agreement fails to do any of the following for 60 days or more: (a) pay any amount under a Hardship Payment Agreement or (b) pay the current charges for water service. The District will post a final notice of intent to discontinue service in a prominent and conspicuous location at the service address at least five business days prior to discontinuation of service. The final notice will not entitle the customer to investigation or review by the District.
In the event of non-payment of a water bill by an Owner for a residence that receives individually metered residential water service, a Tenant may request to become the customer of record to avoid discontinuation of water service. In order to transfer service into Tenant’s name, the Owner will be required to complete and sign the District’s form of authorization providing approval to transfer into Tenant(s) name within 30 days. Should the District not receive the form of authorization within 30 days, the Tenant may continue to pay the Owner’s water bill in order to avoid discontinuation. In the event the Tenant cannot secure the Owner’s written authorization within 30 days, the Tenant may request the District to provide to Tenant, duplicate copies of the Owner’s water bills for the individually metered residential water service, to facilitate the Tenant’s ability to timely pay water bills accruing over time, which payments shall be treated by District as paid on behalf of Owner, until formal transfer is complete. Notwithstanding any such duplicate water bills, or payments accepted by District from Tenant, the Owner retains full responsibility for payment of any unpaid water bills and all subsequent charges to the property pursuant to California Water Code Section 25806.
If a customer disputes an unpaid water bill that is beyond the authority of the Customer Service Supervisor to resolve, the Customer Service Supervisor may defer the discontinuation of water service until the dispute can be reviewed by the General Manager and/or brought before the Board for final resolution. The dispute will not be referred to the General Manager or scheduled for consideration by the Board until the customer pays a reasonable portion of the disputed water bill. The reasonable portion of the disputed bill will be based on the customer’s account history.
The customer shall submit a written request of appeal to the Board Secretary to have his or her dispute considered as an item for discussion at an upcoming Board meeting, which would allow the Board to hear the dispute and take action. The written request of appeal shall include: 1) a description of the issue, 2) evidence supporting the claim, and 3) a request for resolution.
Water service shall not be discontinued pending an appeal.
Water service will be restored only upon payment of all delinquent charges and penalties.
Jon Foreman at the Vista Irrigation District Lab
Does Vista Irrigation District make any warranties regarding the online billpay service?
The Vista Irrigation District does not make any warranties concerning the Online BillPay service including, without limitation, any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement of third party proprietary rights unless disclaiming such warranties is prohibited by law.
Does Vista Irrigation District charge fees?
Fees The Vista Irrigation District does not charge you any fees for using Online BillPay. However, your Financial Institution may charge you fees, including transaction fees or fees for attempting transfers without sufficient funds. If a transaction is not honored by your bank, a fee may be charged to your account.
How do I create a new account at Vista Irrigation District?
You can create a new account on the Vista Irrigation District (VID) website. Once you create the account, you can setup payment with credit, debit, or direct deposit. Click here to create an account.
How do I get a refund from Vista Irrigation District?
Questions concerning refunds of erroneous payments should be directed to Vista Irrigation District Customer Service Department. If approved the refund will be made in the form of a check made payable to the name on your account. The refund process may take up to thirty (30) days.
Where does Vista Irrigation collect water?
Established in 1923, the Vista Irrigation District collects water from a mix of sources, (1) Local Water Source – Lake Henshaw, (2) Imported Water Source – Colorado River Aqueduct, (3) Imported Water Sources: Oroville Dam & Reservoir, Bay Delta and California Aqueduct, and (4) Desalinated Seawater – Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
When does the Vista Irrigation District update account balances and activity information?
However, the Vista Irrigation District will update account balances and activity information daily, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. In addition, the Vista Irrigation District will not be liable for any inability to access Online BillPay, or for any failure to update any information, for whatever reason.