The San Diego Mayor and City Council, on July 18, 2000, approved the Water Department billing and collection policies. These policies mostly apply to customers who don't pay their water and sewer bills on time.

Important components of the policies and procedures include:

• Backbilling. One hundred percent of the water used will be billed, no matter how far back the water usage occurred.
• Extensions. Extensions can only be granted by Water Department management under limited conditions. These include: health and safety, legal negotiations, or if, by not granting one, there would be a negative impact on other ratepayers.
• Deferred Payments. The Water Department has the authority to grant a deferred payment for up to 12 months. Payment must be made within one year or referred to City Treasurer.
• Deposits. The deposit, for those customers requiring one, is equal to two average billing periods.

For more information, please contact the Water Department at (619) 515-3500.

These fees are strictly cost recoverable; they are equal to how much it costs the Water Department to perform the work.