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Water, Sewer & Trash Billing

COVID-19 Information

The City of Carlsbad understands that the COVID-19 emergency is having a significant effect on our community. Please see what changes have been made to provide some relief. 

Starting during the month of March and continuing until the end of the emergency, Carlsbad Municipal Water District customers will not incur any late fees for non-payment and the city will not discontinue water service during this time for non-payment.

Unfortunately Prop 218 prohibits government agencies from allowing some customers to subsidize other customers. As a government agency we are unable to forgive customer bills. The reason electric companies, phone companies and other utilities can offer discounts and bill forgiveness is because they are for-profit agencies.

Resources to help with paying your water bill. 

The City of Carlsbad, Carlsbad Municipal Water District purchases water from the San Diego County Water Authority, and both agencies are responsible for making sure that our tap water meets the state’s strict heath standards. Public drinking water is always treated and tested to assure that pathogens (including viruses) are removed before it is distributed to the public. 

In addition, there is no evidence that coronavirus is transmitted through water. In fact, coronavirus is a respiratory illness like the flu, and neither are spread through treated water supplies. The World Health Organization has stated that the, “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies.” Additionally, EPA recommends that citizens continue to use and drink tap water as usual.

At this time, there are no indications that COVID-19 is in the drinking water supply or will affect the reliable supply of water.

We encourage you to visit the San Diego County Water Authority website for additional information.

More information about virus prevention and treatment

Questions about Your Bill

Please call 760-602-2420. 

New Utility Bill Payment Website

The City of Carlsbad has upgraded its utility bill payment website to provide a new, improved and secure way for Carlsbad Municipal Water District customers to pay their utility bills online.

All Carlsbad Municipal Water District customers who currently receive their bills electronically and/or pay their bills online need to register for a new account.

Register for a new account through a simple two step process:

1. Go online to waterbill.carlsbadca.gov and enter your account number and zip code to register for a new online account
2. A confirmation email will be sent to you with a link to complete registration

Helpful Hints

1.  When entering your account number, please omit any leading zeros at the beginning of the account number.  For example, if your account number is 0001234-01, enter the account number as 1234-01.

2.  When creating a password, you will need to use a minimum of 8 characters and at least 3 of those characters need to be non-alpha numeric (i.e. !@#$%).

3.  Please do not use Internet Explorer to access this system.  The preferred internet browser is Chrome.

The new website provides improved functionality through a user-friendly online portal for easily viewing and paying bills as well as the convenience of multiple secure payment options.

New Online Payment Features

  • View and pay your bill online anytime with credit/debit card or e-check
  • Set up automatic monthly payments that securely link a credit/debit card or e-check to your account
  • Mobile friendly online payment system
  • One-time online payment option without registration
  • Securely store payment information for a faster payment experience
  • Go Paperless to protect the environment
  • Receive notifications and payment confirmations via email
  • Check your balance or make a payment 24 hours a day

Customers have the option to pay their bills by phone at all hours through a new secure automated hotline that can be reached at 760-602-2420, and selecting Option 1. Customers can also continue to mail in payments or make payments in person at Faraday Center or use the drop box at City Hall.

More Information

Water & Sewer Rate Structure

Setup Fee

  • A setup fee of $40 will be assessed on the first bill.

Delivery Charge

  • Monthly delivery charge is based on meter size.
  • This charge is assessed even if no water is used.

Payments

Payments can be made:

  • Online, acceptable methods of payment include Visa, Mastercard or Discover.
  • Drop boxes located in City Hall parking lot on Pio Pico Drive and outside the City of Carlsbad Faraday building (1635 Faraday Ave.). Payments deposited in these drop boxes will NOT be credited to an account until the following business day.
  • Over the phone by calling 760-602-2420, Option 1.

Please note:

  • The city reserves the right to refuse payment of utility charges in coins.
  • Postdated checks will not be accepted.
  • Past due bills scheduled for shut off must be paid in cash, money order, or credit card in person at the Faraday building, or by credit card with utility billing customer service by calling 760-602-2420, Option 1.

Automatic Payment Service

AutoPay is a convenient option in which bills will be paid automatically, on their due dates, using your default credit card or bank account.  This will avoid any late fees and free you from having to remember when to pay.  Login to your account and click on "AutoPay" to enroll. Allow two (2) business days for AutoPay to be activated.  Automatic payment will not go into effect for your next bill if the due date is within two (2) business days.

Vacation Arrangements

When going on vacation or out of town for an extended period of time, please arrange to pay the bill in advance to avoid late charges and potential service termination. Arrangements may be made by calling the Finance Department at 760-602-2420, Option 1.

Billing Practices

  • The City of Carlsbad bills water and sewer customers on a monthly basis.
  • To determine whether property is located within these districts, please view the water district or sewer district maps.
  • The billing period is normally 30 days and based on the water meter reading date.
  • If service is established in the middle of a billing period, all charges are prorated.
  • Charges paid after the due date are subject to a ten percent late fee.
  • Charges not paid after 30 days are considered delinquent and are subject to additional fees.
  • Charges will continue to accrue until the city is notified to discontinue service.

2019-20 Rates for Recycling and Trash Services

2020-21 Rates for Recycling and Trash Services

Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Green Waste Rate Increases 

About Recycling and Trash Services and Rates

The City of Carlsbad provides recycling and trash solid waste services to its residents and businesses as outlined in Chapter 6.08 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code.  These services are provided through a franchise agreement with Waste Management.  The agreement was approved by the City Council in February 2012.  This agreement established residential, commercial and multi-family rates for various recycling and trash services, effective July 1, 2012.

Waste Management provides and maintains the recycling, trash, and green waste carts and bins and provides the following services:

  • The residential solid waste services include the weekly collection of trash, recyclables and green waste.
  • The commercial solid waste services include collection of trash, recyclables and green waste as frequently as scheduled by the customer, but not less than once per week.

Waste Management guarantees that throughout the term of the contract that the the contractor's net rate for Single-Family residential Cart Collection Services (for a 64 or 96 gallon cart) and the contractor's net rate for Multi-Family and Commercial Bin Collection Service (for a three-yard bin picked up once per week) will be in the lowest third of net rates being charged for similar services in all cities in San Diego County using a franchised collection system.

For additional information about Recycling and Trash services, please visit the city's Environmental Management Recycling Division website.  

    Collection Day Changes

    Find your new trash collection day at www.wm.com.

    Establishing Water Service

    • The City of Carlsbad requires at least 24 hours notice for service turn-on.
    • To determine whether the property is located within the city’s districts, please view the water district or sewer district maps.
    • There is a $40 turn on fee for all new accounts.
    • If the city is contacted on the same day as requested service turned on, there will be a $150 charge assessed on the next bill.
    • When calling on holidays, on weekends or after 5 p.m. on weekdays to have water turned on the same day, a charge of $178 must be paid to the city on the following working day.

    Discontinuing Service

    • By accepting service, one is subject to all rules and regulations of the city, and is responsible for all charges incurred on the monthly bill until the city is notified to discontinue service.
    • Charges will accrue until the city is contacted to discontinue service. The city requires at least 24 hours notice to discontinue service.

    Continuity of Service for Landlords Only

    • The City of Carlsbad offers a continuity of service fee option of $12 (in lieu of the $40 setup fee) for landlords who wish to retain water service to rental properties during periods of vacancy.
    • This option is only for City of Carlsbad landlords who receive water service from the city water district.
    • To sign up for this service, please complete a continuity of service agreement form and return it to the Utility Billing Department.