How to Pay Your San Francisco Water Bill

San Francisco water bills can be paid online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) sends water bills every two months. You can pay through their website at sfwater.org, by calling 311 or 1-415-551-3000, by mailing a check to the address on your bill, or by visiting a payment center in person. Online payment is the fastest method and shows as received when ready; mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to process.

Your bill shows the amount due, the due date (usually 30 days from the bill date), and late fees if payment is overdue. If you miss the due date, SFPUC adds a 10% late charge to the unpaid balance. Setting up automatic payments through your bank or the SFPUC website prevents missed important date.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through sfwater.org is the fastest option and processes the same day you submit it.
• You can also pay by phone at 311 or 1-415-551-3000, by mail, or in person at an SFPUC payment center.
• Bills are due 30 days from the bill date, and a 10% late fee applies to unpaid balances after that.
• Automatic payments set up through your bank or the SFPUC website eliminate the risk of late fees.
• If you cannot pay your full bill, contact SFPUC about payment plans or financial hardship programs.

Paying online through the SFPUC website

Go to sfwater.org and select "Pay Your Bill" from the homepage. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill. Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or electronic check from a bank account. Credit and debit card payments process when ready but may include a convenience fee of 2.49% of the payment amount. Electronic check payments are free and also process the same day.

After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Keep this number for your records. The payment shows on your account within hours, though it may take one business day to appear on your next bill statement.

Paying by phone or at a payment center

Call 311 (or 1-415-551-3000 from outside San Francisco) to pay by phone using a debit or credit card. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. Phone payments process the same day and incur the same 2.49% convenience fee as online card payments.

To pay in person, visit an SFPUC payment center. The main office is at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102. Payment centers accept cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards. In-person cash and check payments have no fee. Card payments at the counter also incur the 2.49% convenience fee. Hours vary by location, so check sfwater.org for current hours before you go.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to "SFPUC" and include the payment stub from your bill. Mail it to the address printed on your bill statement. Do not send cash through the mail. Allow 7 to 10 business days for a mailed check to reach SFPUC and be processed.

If you are mailing a payment close to the due date, mail it at least 10 days early to avoid a late fee. SFPUC dates payments by the postmark, not the date received, so a check postmarked before the due date counts as on time even if it arrives after.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the need to remember due dates. You can set them up through the SFPUC website or through your own bank's bill pay service. On sfwater.org, go to "Manage Your Account" and select "Autopay." Choose whether to pay the full bill amount or a fixed amount each billing cycle, and select your payment method (bank account or card). Payments will be withdrawn automatically on or shortly after the due date.

If you set up autopay through your bank instead, log into your bank's bill pay system and add SFPUC as a payee. Your bank will mail a check on your behalf, so allow extra time for processing. You can cancel automatic payments at any time through the same system where you set them up.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount

Contact SFPUC directly if you are having trouble paying your bill. Call 311 or 1-415-551-3000 to speak with a representative about your options. SFPUC offers payment plans that spread your balance over several months, which can lower your monthly payment amount. You may also be able to defer payment temporarily if you are facing a temporary hardship.

San Francisco residents with low incomes may be may be able to access for the Water information Program, which reduces water bills for may have access to households. This is a separate program from payment plans and requires a separate request. Ask the SFPUC representative about income thresholds and required documents when you call.

Understanding late fees and disconnection

If your payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, SFPUC adds a 10% late fee to the unpaid balance. This fee is added to your next bill. If your account remains unpaid for 60 days, SFPUC may send a notice of intent to shut off service. You will have a grace period to pay before water service is actually disconnected.

If you receive a shut-off notice, contact SFPUC when ready. Paying the full amount owed, setting up a payment plan, or requesting a hardship deferral can stop the disconnection. Once service is shut off, you must pay a reconnection fee in addition to the unpaid balance to restore water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my water bill online?

Credit and debit card payments online include a 2.49% convenience fee. Paying by electronic check through the SFPUC website is free. Mailed checks and in-person cash payments also have no fee.

How long does it take for my payment to show up?

Online and phone payments process the same day. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days. Payments usually appear on your account within hours of processing, though they may not show on your next bill statement for one to two billing cycles.

What if I pay late?

A 10% late fee is added to your unpaid balance if payment is not received by the due date. If your account stays unpaid for 60 days, SFPUC sends a shut-off notice. You can avoid disconnection by paying, setting up a payment plan, or requesting a hardship deferral.

Can I change my billing address or account information online?

Yes. Log into "Manage Your Account" on sfwater.org to update your address, phone number, or email. You can also call 311 to make changes with a representative.

What if I think my bill is wrong?

Contact SFPUC to dispute the amount. Call 311 or visit sfwater.org to request a meter reading or investigation. Do not withhold payment while disputing; instead, pay the amount you believe is correct and note the dispute in writing.