How to receive utility service from the Water & Sanitation Division

Please contact us at (760) 955-9885 to request utility service from the Water & Sanitation Division or complete the information on the New Owner Application, sign and mail to our office. If you are moving into a residence that previously had service you will be required to pay a Transfer of Billing fee and complete the New Owner Application.  If you are building a residence click here. A request for utility service signifies your intention of complying with the District’s rules and regulations regarding utility service.

Service to tenant-occupied property

If you own property that is leased or rented to a tenant, it’s your responsibility to pay the utility service charges. However, if you wish to have the District send a courtesy bill to your tenant, you and your tenant will be required to complete an Owner/Tenant Agreement that must either be signed in the office, or notarized.  If your tenant moves owing the Water & Sanitation Division delinquent charges for utility services, we’ll provide service to the next tenant only if your account is paid in full before the new tenant moves in.

What happens if you use the utility without properly requesting service?

If you use utility service supplied by the Water & Sanitation Division without properly requesting service, your service is subject to immediate disconnection and you could be held liable for all charges since the last recorded billing period. You’ll also be liable for any broken seal or lock penalties.

When do you begin paying for service?

Water charges begin as soon as the meter is set or escrow closes in the case of an existing meter. The property owner is liable for all utility charges until the property is sold or title is transferred.  If customer wants service disconnected and is still the recorded property owner, customer must submit a written request and pay the turn-off/turn-on fee.  Bi-monthly facilities and/or wastewater charges shall continue to accrue.  In addition, if any water flows through the water meter, the property owner shall be liable.  Charges that become delinquent may result in a lien upon the property.  Wastewater charges begin as soon as the Water & Sanitation Division inspects the connection to the sewer mainline.

How often will you get billed?

Your bill is based on a sixty-day cycle.  Your current charges are due as soon as they are mailed by the Water & Sanitation Division. They become delinquent if not paid within 30 days of the billing date.

Upon receipt of a delinquent notice bill, the past due amount must be paid in 14 days to avoid additional fees and disconnection of service. The District is not responsible for non-receipt or non-delivery of bills. All past due amounts are subject to a 10% delinquent amount on the new balance plus .5% for the previous balance on unpaid balance charges. The Water & Sanitation Division treats all payment envelopes returned without payment enclosed, including unsigned checks or partially completed check, as nonpayment. Checks returned by the bank will also be treated as nonpayment. A returned check charge  of $30, plus other applicable charges, will also be added to your account. Accounts with one or more returned checks may be required to make future payments by either cash, money order or cashiers check only.

Where can I make payments?

Payments by check can be made via U.S. mail or by cash or check at the District’s office during normal business hours. Payments can be dropped in our Payment Drop Box located in front of the Water & Sanitation Division’s Headquarters door (Building D, Suite 6). District staff will pick up payments at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. Payments received in the District office after 2:30 p.m., on a holiday or weekend, will be posted the following business day.

How do you close your account?

The Water & Sanitation Division requires a final escrow closing date and one to two working days’ notice to schedule the closing of your account. When we receive notice that escrow has closed on your property and you would like to close your account, we’ll take a closing meter reading.

Turn-back-on, late penalty and disconnect policy

If the outstanding amount shown on the utility bill isn’t paid by the “Due Date”, a Delinquent bill will be sent which includes a 10% late penalty on the new balance and a 5% late penalty for on the previous balance, and a notification of service disconnection date. If charges remain unpaid as of the disconnect date on the delinquent billing notice, service will be disconnected. In order for service to be turned back on, all outstanding amounts, plus a reconnect fee, will need to be paid. The reconnect fee is $60. Persons with certain disabling medical conditions may be exempt from these disconnect policies. Contact the Water & Sanitation Division’s billing office at (760) 955-9885 for more information.