If you’re a resident or business in San Francisco, having water service likely means you receive a regular bill from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Read on as I explain how the billing process works, your payment options, and tips for managing your SF water account
The SFPUC provides water and sewer services to San Francisco residents and businesses. They bill every two months based on your water consumption. Bills are typically sent around the 10th of January March May, July, September, and November.
Below I’ll cover everything you need to know about receiving and paying your SF water/sewer bill so your payments are on time Let’s dive in!
Understanding Your SF Water Bill
Your bi-monthly SFPUC bill includes charges for water, sewer, and wastewater services based on how much water you use. Here are key things to understand about your water bill:
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The account number is unique to your property’s water service. This stays the same if you move.
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The service address indicates the property where service is provided. Verify it’s correct.
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Meter read dates show the beginning and end period usage is calculated for. Your usage determines the charges.
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The current charges section breaks down your water, sewer, and wastewater service fees for the billing period.
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Your payment stubs from the bottom are what you send back with your check to make sure the right amount is credited.
Scrutinize each bill carefully for accuracy and contact SFPUC if you notice any discrepancies in charges or usage.
Ways to Pay Your Water Bill
You have several options to pay your SF water bill. Choose the most convenient method for you:
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Online – Pay via credit/debit card or e-Check at sfpuc.org. Create an account to store payment info.
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By phone – Call 415-551-3090 to pay by credit card using the automated system.
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Mail – Send a check or money order with your payment stub to the address on your bill.
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In person – Bring your bill to a payment center location at 525 Golden Gate Ave.
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Auto-pay – Set up recurring payments from your bank account each billing period.
I recommend paying online so you have 24/7 access and payment confirmation. But review all options to find the right fit.
Tips for Paying Your Bill on Time
To avoid late fees, remember these tips:
- Mark your due date on your calendar so it doesn’t sneak up on you.
- Pay a few days early online to account for processing time.
- If the due date falls on a weekend/holiday, pay before the preceding business day.
- Call SFPUC if you’ll be late and request a waiver of late fees.
Setting text or email reminders can also help prevent forgetting a payment. Get your bill paid promptly each period to avoid penalties.
Reviewing Your Water Usage
You can monitor your consumption by checking the meter read dates and usage on each bill. Usage directly correlates to your charges.
If you see a spike in usage, it likely indicates a leak or water waste. Take these steps to reduce usage:
- Inspect pipes and faucets for leaks and repair immediately if found.
- Install water-efficient toilets, faucets, showerheads.
- Look for unexplained usage like irrigation systems still running in rainy months.
- Contact SFPUC for an audit if you can’t explain increased usage.
Closely reviewing bills lets you catch usage changes early and correct them.
Understanding Billing Cycles and Pro-rating
SFPUC bills every two months. The billing period is not aligned with calendar months.
So when you start or stop water service, your first/last bill may cover a shorter period. In this case, charges are pro-rated based on the actual days of service versus a typical 60 day billing period.
Review pro-rated bills carefully to ensure you’re billed accurately for the partial period.
Avoid Service Interruptions
If you fail to pay your water bill on time, SFPUC may disconnect service after proper notice. To restore service, you’ll have to pay the past due bill, reconnection fee, and deposit.
Avoid service interruptions by:
- Paying on time each billing period
- Contacting SFPUC immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying
- Setting up payment plans or assistance if you have a temporary financial hardship
Keeping your account current is crucial to avoid the cost and inconvenience of discontinued service.
Closing Your Water Account
When moving out, immediately request to close your water account to avoid being billed for service at a property you don’t occupy.
To close an account, submit a service closure request form online or call SFPUC. Provide 30 days advance notice before you need service ended.
Once closed, you’ll receive a final bill that covers any outstanding balance. Make sure SFPUC has your forwarding address to send the final bill and deposit refund.
Closing accounts promptly is key to avoiding extra charges when vacating a property.
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We are here to help you.
Follow these simple steps to start or stop your service.
We make it easy to set up automatic payments, or make a payment online, by phone, or in person.
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