Public Utilities
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How to Read Your Bill
Single Family Residents
If you have your current bill in front of you, it's easy to match up the information on your bill with the outlined bill.
Click on a section for more information.
1. Service address, account number, billing period and bill due date
It's important that your service address is accurate. If there are any changes, please call the Public Utilities Department at (619) 515-3500.
2. Meter information
Here you will find the size of your meter, how many days in this billing cycle, the reads we got off your meter previously and currently. You will also see how many gallons of water you use on a daily basis and how many hundred cubic feet (HCF) of water you used in the last billing period. The Public Utilities Department measures water usage by HCF, which is 748 gallons. If you would like to learn how to read your meter, please go to
3. Water use information
To help customers conserve water, the Public Utilities Department provides data showing usage for this year as compared to last year and from previous months.
4. Water and sewer charges
There are two sets of charges on your /water/sewer bill. The charges show your water base fee, how much water you used and at what rates you were charged for the water. You will also see your sewer base fee, your sewer charge and your storm drain fee. When totaled this gives you your total amount due. Here's a quick explanation of some of the charges on your water and sewer bill:
- Base Fee - Water -- This is a non-variable amount collected to offset fixed costs of running the Public Utilities Department. Such costs include rent, running the Customer Services Section and paying for a portion of the fixed operating costs of the water system including routine maintenance and replacement of facilities.
- Water Used -- This is a tiered rate based on the amount of water used. Money collected through this fee pays for buying, treating and delivering water, as well as for the maintenance, repair and replacement of the water system.
- Base Fee - Sewer -- This is a non-variable amount collected to offset the fixed costs of running the wastewater system. Fixed costs include routine maintenance and replacement of the sewer system including the Point Loma Sewage Treatment Plant.
- Sewer -- Single-family domestic customers have an individualized sewer rate based on the amount of water used during their winter monitoring period (primarily December through March). Measuring is done during the winter because that's when the highest percentage of water used is returned to the sewage system. Money collected for this fee pays for collecting and transporting sewage to the Point Loma Sewage Treatment Plant, the treating and safe disposal of the effluent and the maintenance, repair and replacement of the sewage system.
- Storm Drain Fee -- This fee pays for the cleaning, repair and maintenance of the city's storm drain system.
- How Your Dollars are Used -- The water fees on your bill reflect the City's cost to treat and deliver water throughout the City and for running daily operations. Also, your bill pays for a portion of the overall costs incurred by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which imports raw water from the Colorado River and Northern California. A portion of the water bill is also for costs incurred by the County Water Authority, which delivers water received from MWD to water agencies within San Diego County, such as the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department. Finally, your bill also pays for the work the City has to do to be in compliance with State and Federal government regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act.
5. Bill message
Customers can find out current information regarding the Public Utilities Department.
6. Detachable bill payment stub
The part of the bill below the perforation contains information vital to the City when we process your payment. If you pay your bill by mail, this portion is detached and returned with your check. If any information on this stub is incorrect or outdated, please contact the Public Utilities Department at (619) 515-3500.
All Other Customer Classes
If you have your current bill in front of you, it's easy to match up the information on your bill with the outlined bill.
Click on a section for more information.
1. Detachable bill payment stub
The part of the bill above the perforation contains information vital to the City when we process your payment. If you pay your bill by mail, this portion is detached and returned with your check.
2. Account number, customer name and service address
It's important that this information is accurate. If there are any changes, you should call the Public Utilities Department at (619) 515-3500.
3. Payment due date
4. Total amount due
5. Water and sewer charges
There are two sets of charges on your /water/sewer bill. The charges show your water base fee, how much water you used and at what rates you were charged for the water, your sewer base fee, your sewer charge and your storm drain fee. When totaled this gives you your total amount due. If under the Code heading you find the letter E, it means your bill for this month has been estimated.
Here's a quick explanation of some of the charges on your water and sewer bill:
- Base Fee - Water -- This is a non-variable amount collected to offset fixed costs of running the Public Utilities Department. Such costs include rent, running the Customer Services Section and paying for a portion of the fixed operating costs of the water system including routine maintenance and replacement of facilities.
- Water Used -- This is a variable fee based on the amount of water used. Money collected through this fee pays for buying, treating and delivering water, as well as for the maintenance, repair and replacement of the water system.
- Base Fee - Sewer -- This is a non-variable amount collected to offset the fixed costs of running the wastewater system. Fixed costs include routine maintenance and replacement of the sewer system including the Point Loma Sewage Treatment Plant.
- Sewer -- Single-family domestic customers have an individualized sewer rate based on the amount of water used during their winter monitoring period (primarily December through March). Measuring is done during the winter because that's when the highest percentage of water used is returned to the sewage system. Money collected for this fee pays for collecting and transporting sewage to the Point Loma Sewage Treatment Plant, the treating and safe disposal of the effluent and the maintenance, repair and replacement of the sewage system.
- Storm Drain Fee -- This fee pays for the cleaning, repair and maintenance of the city's storm drain system.
- How Your Dollars are Used -- The water fees on your bill reflect the City's cost to treat and deliver water throughout the City and for running daily operations. Also, your bill pays for a portion of the overall costs incurred by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which imports raw water from the Colorado River and Northern California. A portion of the water bill is also for costs incurred by the San Diego County Water Authority, which delivers water received from MWD to water agencies within San Diego County, such as the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department. Finally, your bill also pays for the work the City has to do to be in compliance with state and federal government regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act.
6. Bill messages
In these two areas, customers can find out current information regarding the Public Utilities Department, as well as water conservation tips.
7. Conservation information
In this box, you'll be able to track your water usage compared to last year. If you didn't live in your house last year, you would be compared to a citywide average.
For questions or concerns about your water and sewer bill, call a Customer Service Representative at (619) 515-3500 or email customercare@sandiego.gov