Billing Questions and Terminology

The following is a list of commonly asked billing questions and billing terminology. If you do not find what you are looking for try searching our site or contact our customer service department.


Billing Questions
Where can I pay my bill?
You may mail your check or money order made payable to South Coast Water District in the pre-addressed envelope enclosed with your bill. If you prefer to pay in person, please bring your payment to our Administrative Office located at:

South Coast Water District - Administrative Office
31592 West Street, Laguna Beach
(See map below)

Also for your convenience there are two depository boxes available 24 hours a day for check and money order payments. One box is located at the front driveway entrance to the Administrative Office, adjacent to the District sign. Our other box is located next to the District sign at our Southern Operations Office at 34152 Del Obispo in Dana Point (see map below). Payments deposited in either of these boxes are collected and processed at the start of the next business day.

Depository Box Locations




When is my bill due?
Your bill is due and payable upon presentation and becomes late after the penalty date shown on the front of the bill. After this penalty date, a late charge will be assessed on any unpaid balance and a reminder bill will be mailed. To avoid discontinuance of service, payment must be received in the District office by the penalty date shown on the reminder bill.


What if my water is disconnected?
If the District disconnects your service for any reason (other than for emergency repairs) a notice will be placed on your door notifying you as to why the service has been disconnected. If you are having plumbing or irrigation work done at the property, please check with the plumber or landscaper to see if they have temporarily disconnected the water for repair work. Should you need assistance in determining the source of the disconnection, please call our main line anytime - day or night.

If water service is discontinued for non-payment, reconnection charges will be assessed for costs associated with reinstating service. The serviced property will remain without water service until all charges, including reconnection charges, have been paid. A deposit may also be required to reestablish service.


What if I question my bill?
If you have a question about or dispute the charges on your bill, please call our Customer Service Department between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Although further research may be required, the full amount of the bill is still due and payable under the deadlines stated on your bill. If the disputed charges are found to be incorrect, an appropriate adjustment will be made to your account.


What if I need emergency assistance with my water?
Emergency service personnel are available 24 hours a day by calling our main line at (949) 499-4555.


How do I read my water meter?
Your water meter is normally located within a concrete enclosure just behind the sidewalk somewhere on the front of the property. Upon removing the lid of the enclosure you should see the water meter. Look at the meter to find the register, which should appear similar to the picture on the right. The register has an odometer which records the usage in cubic feet (CF) of water. The numbers in white represent the usage in CCF (100 cubic feet of water) and are used by the District for billing.

If you can not locate your meter or if it looks different than the one pictured here, please call our Customer Service Department between 8:00am and 5:00pm for assistance.


A note about your water meter:
The water meter serving your address is the property of the District and lies within a public easement. Please do not construct any fixtures on, around or over the meter box which may interfere with maintenance activities performed by District personnel. All vegetation must be controlled so that it does not intrude onto the meter box. Foreign or hazardous materials such as paint, oil or solvents, should not be placed in or around the meter box as it may contaminate your water.



Billing Terminology
CF - An abbreviation for cubic feet. One cubic feet of water is equal to 7.48 gallons.

CCF - An abbreviation for 100 cubic feet, which is the billing unit of measure for water consumption. One CCF of water is equal to 748 gallons.

Meter Service Charge - A charge assessed based upon the size of the water meter. This charge is for costs associated with providing water to the serviced property and the maintenance of the water distribution system. This charge is not based upon water consumption.

Sewer Service Charge - A charge assessed for the treatment of waste water from the serviced property. This charge is for costs associated with the treatment/disposal of waste water and maintenance of the waste water system.

Start-up Charge - A one time charge for costs associated with starting the service in the customer's name. This charge appears on the first bill for the service.

Water Base Charge - A charge assessed for costs associated with providing water to the serviced property and the maintenance of the water distribution system. This charge is not based upon water consumption.

Water Commodity Charge - The amount charged for all water consumed. This charge is for the cost of the water and is based upon the total number of CCF registered by the meter.


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