Water/Sewer Departments returning to bi–monthly billing

On March 1, 2008 the City of San Diego Water and Metropolitan Wastewater Departments will begin the process of sending the combined Water/Sewer/Storm Drain bills to most of our customers every other month. This switch impacts all single–family domestic customers, and some multi–family, commercial and industrial customers.

Since 2003, the Water Department has issued monthly bills, with every other bill based on a scheduled estimate of usage and charges. The majority of customers will no longer receive monthly bills and the Water Department is eliminating scheduled estimates. Most customers will now receive water and sewer bills based upon two months of usage.

This change in the billing system will not impact many multi–family, commercial and industrial customers. If you are in one of these customer classes, please check your account number. If it begins with a “U19” you will continue to receive monthly bills.

How Bi–Monthly Billing Works

All customers switching to bi–monthly billing (including all single–family domestic customers) received a bill in February of 2008. Half of the City’s customers (those whose water meter is now being read in odd–numbered months) are receiving this bill in March. Because you received a bill in February, this bill is for one month’s usage. Your next bill will be in May and every two months afterwards.

The other half of the City’s customers (those whose water meter is now being read in even–numbered months) are receiving this with your bill in April. Since you have not have received a bill since February, this bill is for a two–month period. Bills will follow in June and every two months afterwards.

Since the beginning of monthly billing, customers have complained about receiving bills based on estimates. The return to bi–monthly billing eliminates scheduled estimates.

“The Mayor, City Council and Water and Sewer Departments heard loud and clear from customers that they did not like scheduled estimated meter readings,” said Mike Bresnahan, Deputy Director of the Water Department’s Customer Support Division. “We want to be responsive to our customers so, at the direction of the Mayor and City Council, we are returning to bi–monthly billing.”

Another benefit is that it is expected that going to bi–monthly billing will save the Water and Metropolitan Wastewater Departments $630,000 in printing and mailing costs each year.