Paying your water bill in Valley Center just got a whole lot easier! As a resident of this area, I know how confusing and frustrating it can be trying to figure out the best way to pay your water bill each month. That’s why I want to walk you through the various options available to streamline the payment process
As your friendly neighborhood blogger, I’ll try to explain the payment options in plain English so you can pick the one that fits your needs the best. Stick with me and you’ll be a payment pro in no time!.
Overview of Valley Center Municipal Water District
First, let’s start with some background The Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) is the agency responsible for providing water services to residents in the Valley Center area They are a public, non-profit government organization, not a private company.
VCMWD maintains infrastructure like pipelines, reservoirs, pumps and valves across 100 square miles to deliver reliable water to customers. As a public agency, any revenue generated goes back into operating the water system, not into profits.
Now that we’ve got that context, let’s jump into the payment options!
Payment Method #1: WaterSmart Customer Portal
My favorite is the WaterSmart customer portal, which all VCMWD customers can use for free. This online platform allows you to:
- View usage data and billing history
- Set up recurring auto-payments
- Receive leak alerts and high use notifications
- And more!
I love the convenience of managing everything in one place online. You can even go paperless with e-bills to reduce clutter.
Signing up is simple – just visit the VCMWD website and click “Pay Online” to register your account. Definitely take advantage of this useful resource.
Payment Method #2: Pay-By-Phone
If you prefer phone payments, VCMWD offers a pay-by-phone system as well.
To use it, just dial (833) 277-8720 and follow the prompts. I’d recommend having your account number handy to speed up the process.
One thing to note – the pay-by-phone number was updated in October 2022, so be sure to use the current one listed here.
Payment Method #3: Mail-In Payment
Doing things the old-fashioned way? You can always mail in a check or money order using the return envelope included with your paper bill.
Just fill out your payment info on the remittance stub, enclose it along with your check or money order, and drop it in the mailbox. Be sure to allow enough time for it to reach the VCMWD office by the due date.
Payment Method #4: In-Person Payment
If you want to hand-deliver your payment or prefer paying with cash, you can stop by the VCMWD office during business hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 7am – 4:30pm
- Friday: 7:30am – 4pm
- Closed weekends and holidays
The office address is:
29300 Valley Center Rd
Valley Center, CA 92082
Please note that in-person payments can only be made by cash, check or money order – no credit cards.
Payment Plan Options
I know money can be tight, especially with economic challenges lately. If you’re having trouble paying your bill in full, VCMWD offers payment plan options.
You can work with them directly to set up an extended plan that fits your financial situation. There are also community resources like United Way that may be able to assist.
The main thing is to contact VCMWD right away if you anticipate issues paying your bill. Don’t let it snowball!
How Your Payment is Used
Ever wonder how your payment gets allocated?
The majority (about 89%) goes to cover wholesale water costs from larger agencies like the Metropolitan Water District. This makes sense, since VCMWD has to purchase the water before distributing it.
About 11% stays with VCMWD to fund operating costs like infrastructure maintenance, meter reading, water quality testing and more. As a public agency, they aim to break even – not turn a profit.
In essence, your payment ensures high-quality water keeps flowing today and for years to come!
Payment FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about paying your VCMWD water bill:
Can I pay online through my bank?
Yes, you can set up bill pay through your bank using your account number. Just be sure to schedule payments at least 5-7 days before the due date.
Do you accept credit card payments?
We accept credit card payments through the WaterSmart portal or over the phone. We cannot take credit cards in the office.
What if I’m going on vacation?
You can request a temporary suspension of your service until you return – contact customer service for details.
What if I have a dispute about my bill?
First, check for leaks and high usage. If you still have questions, call customer service and they’ll investigate.
When is my bill due each month?
Bills are mailed out around the 25th of each month and due on the 17th of the following month.
Let’s Recap
And there you have it – everything you need to know to handle your Valley Center water bill payments with ease! Here are the key takeaways:
- Manage payments 24/7 through the WaterSmart online portal
- Call (833) 277-8720 to pay conveniently over the phone
- Mail in check/money order payments using your return envelope
- Visit the VCMWD office to pay by cash, check or money order
- Contact VCMWD immediately if you need a payment plan
- Understand your bill helps fund water service operations
Armed with these payment options, you can spend less time stressing over your water bill and more time enjoying life in Valley Center. As a member of this community, I’m proud we have such a well-run, customer-focused water agency. Now go relax with the peace of mind that your water payment process is smooth sailing!
To Transfer Service
If you have a current utility account with the City and are moving to a different residence within the corporate City limits, you will need to come to City Hall, fill out the appropriate paperwork, and pay a $15.00 service fee for transferring service. If water needs to be turned on at the new residence, the City will make arrangements during a time when you or a representative can be present.
Click here to email the completed account registration form to the utility billing clerk or call 755-7310 extension 101
Please contact the Utility Clerk at (316) 755-7310 and provide the following information:
- Your name and the address of your soon-to-be former residence
- Your forwarding address for the Final Water and Sewer Utility Bill
- The date at which you want the water and sewer service taken out of your name
- A phone number where we can reach you if we have further questions
The water portion of your bill is comprised of two portions, the Water Base Charge or WBC and your water consumption. The WBC for a 3/4″ meter is $30.00and water consumption is $5.59 per thousand gallons used until you reach your Average Winter Consumption or AWC. Your AWC is figured from December-March each year or during the first three full months of new service. The minimum monthly AWC for any meter size one inch or less shall be 6,000 gallons. Once youve used more than your AWC, you will be charged as follows.
Tier 2: 111%-310% of AWC= $21.11/thousand gallons and Tier 3: 311% and above of AWC =$31.54/thousand gallons
For example, if your AWC is 10,000 gallons, you will not pay the higher rates until you use over 10,000 gallons of water in a month.
This following example is for a 3/4″ meter with an AWC of 10,000 gallons
|
Usage |
WBC |
AWC |
Excess@ $21.11 |
Excess@ $31.54 |
WP |
Total |
|
10,000 gal. |
$30.00 |
$61.49 |
$0.32 |
$91.81 |
||
|
12,000 gal. |
$30.00 |
$61.49 |
$21.11 |
$0.38 |
$112.98 |
|
|
35,000 gal. |
$30.00 |
$61.49 |
$422.20 |
$126.16 |
$1.12 |
$640.97 |
The sewer portion of your bill is comprised of two charges, the minimum monthly charge of $29.15 and a user charge rate of $5.04 per thousand gallons of water. For residential contributors, monthly user charges will be based on the average monthly water usage from January-March or the first three full months of new service. Since the minimum usage of the City is 6,000 gallons of water per month, you will be charged $59.39 on your first three months bills until your average is established.