The Easiest Ways to Pay Your Hayward Water Bill

Paying your water bill in Hayward doesn’t have to be a hassle. The City of Hayward offers multiple convenient options to pay your bill quickly and easily. As a Hayward resident, I appreciate how transparent and accessible the payment process is. In this article, I’ll walk through the various methods available and provide tips to make paying your Hayward water bill simple.

Online Payment Portal

The best way to pay in my opinion is through the City of Hayward’s online Water Customer Portal. This allows you to securely pay your water bill entirely online without any fees

Some key benefits of the online portal

• Fee-free payment processing for credit card, bank account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, and more
• Ability to setup autopay and paperless billing
• View past bills and payment history
• Monitor hourly water usage
• Create water budgets and receive leak alerts
• Available 24/7 on desktop or mobile device

To start using the portal, you just need your account number and last payment amount. Simply register for an account or log in if you already have one. The whole process takes just a couple of minutes.

I like to setup autopay through the portal so my bill gets paid automatically each month without me having to think about it The portal will send you an email notification before the payment gets processed so you can review the amount.

Pay by Phone

If you prefer to pay your Hayward water bill over the phone, dial 510-583-4636. This automated payment system is available 24/7 and allows you to pay by credit/debit card free of charge.

To use the pay by phone option, you’ll need your 10-digit account number and the exact payment amount due. The system will guide you through the quick payment process.

One tip is to call from the phone number associated with your water account if possible. This allows the system to easily pull up your account details.

In-Person Payment Kiosk

For those who want to pay their bill in-person with cash or check, the City of Hayward offers a self-service payment kiosk at City Hall. It’s located on the exterior of City Hall facing the plaza at 777 B Street.

This kiosk is available 24/7 and accepts cash, checks, and card payments with no fees. It provides receipts on the spot upon payment.

The payment kiosk has instructions in both English and Spanish. It’s a quick and easy option for anyone who doesn’t have the ability to pay online or over the phone.

Pay by Mail

Sending a check by mail is still an option to pay your Hayward water bill. Simply mail your check to:

Hayward Water System
PO Box 6004
Hayward, CA 94540

To avoid late fees, make sure to put your payment in the mail several days before the due date to ensure it arrives on time. The City does not accept postmark dates, your payment must reach them by the due date.

One thing to note with mail payments is they can take longer to process onto your account. I recommend paying at least 5 business days before the due date when sending a check.

Avoid Late Fees

To avoid getting hit with late fees, be sure to pay your bill by the due date each month. The online portal makes this easy by allowing you to setup text and email reminders when your bill is ready and due.

If you need more time to pay in a certain month, you can call Hayward water billing at 510-583-4600 to set up a payment plan. As long as you pay the agreed upon installments on time, you can avoid late fees while paying down your balance.

The City understands that many residents faced financial hardship during COVID-19. If you fell behind on payments, they can work with you on a payment arrangement tailored to your situation.

Financial Assistance Programs

If you are having trouble affording your water bill, Hayward offers financial assistance programs and discounted rates for qualifying low-income residents.

Some options to look into if paying your water bill has become a financial burden:

• Payment arrangements – Set up a monthly payment plan tailored to what you can afford. This prevents large unpaid balances from accruing.

• Low-income discount program – Provides discounted garbage, water, and sewer rates for eligible low-income households. You can apply online.

• Water arrearage program – If you fell behind on water bills during COVID, you may qualify to have a portion of the balance forgiven.

Don’t hesitate to call the City’s water billing department at 510-583-4600 to discuss your unique situation. They can go over all of the assistance options available to help you get back on track with your water payments.

Avoid Water Shutoffs

For over 2 years during COVID-19, the City of Hayward suspended water shutoffs for non-payment. However, as of September 2022 shutoffs have resumed for accounts with past-due balances.

If you receive a notice that your water is at risk of being shutoff, immediately call 510-583-4600 to make payment arrangements. As long as you stick to the agreed upon payment plan, your service will not be interrupted.

The City aims to avoid water shutoffs when possible, but residents must proactively communicate with them to set up affordable payment plans. Do not ignore shutoff notices thinking your service won’t actually be interrupted.

Stay On Top of Your Usage

Using the online Water Customer Portal, you can monitor your hourly water usage and set up leak alerts. This allows you to catch issues early and avoid sticker shock on your next bill.

Unexpectedly high water bills often indicate an undetected leak on your end. Being aware of your normal usage patterns makes it easier to spot anomalous spikes that warrant further investigation.

I like to periodically check the portal just to understand my water usage habits. Seeing how much flows through the sprinklers or my family’s evening showers puts usage in perspective.

Monitoring your consumption gives you better control over your bills. You can set alerts that notify you if your home exceeds a typical volume so you can promptly address any leaks.

Hopefully this overview gives you all the tools needed to seamlessly pay your Hayward water bill. My preferred method is autopay through the online portal since it ensures my bill gets paid on time without the stress. But all of the options provide convenience for residents. Reach out to Hayward water billing with any questions on your account or if you need help managing payments. They are there to provide support.